By Paul Okojie

The renewed wave of anti-immigrant protests in South Africa has once again laid bare one of Africa’s greatest contradictions. A nation whose liberation from apartheid was sustained by the political, diplomatic and financial support of fellow African countries now finds itself struggling to protect African migrants from recurring xenophobic violence.

Open-source reports indicate that the latest unrest has forced thousands of African migrants to flee their homes and businesses, while governments including Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi have organised voluntary repatriation programmes for their citizens. Reuters reported that Nigeria evacuated 1,490 of its nationals from South Africa following the recent violence, underscoring the level of fear among African migrants living in the country.

According to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, two Nigerian citizens were killed on June 28, 2026 one allegedly by unidentified attackers and another during an encounter involving South African police. The deaths occurred amid rising anti-immigrant tensions that have seen foreigners blamed for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.

South African authorities have disputed aspects of Nigeria’s account. Police have maintained that one of the deaths was unrelated to the anti-migrant protests and remains under investigation, while Pretoria has asked Nigeria to provide evidence supporting its allegations.

These conflicting narratives only reinforce why Nigeria must move beyond diplomatic protests and compile an official, evidence-based record of every Nigerian killed, assaulted, displaced or whose property has been destroyed in xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Such documentation should include names, dates, locations, witness statements, police reports, medical records and the value of destroyed property. This is not merely an administrative exercise. It is the foundation for any diplomatic demand, international legal process or compensation claim.

No nation can effectively defend its citizens abroad without credible documentation.

Human Rights Watch has warned that vigilante groups have carried out violent attacks against African and Asian migrants with what it described as inadequate intervention by law enforcement authorities. The rights organisation urged South Africa to end the scapegoating of migrants and ensure accountability for those responsible for the attacks.

The South African government has repeatedly condemned xenophobic violence and deployed security forces to contain unrest. President Cyril Ramaphosa has also warned citizens against taking the law into their own hands. Yet the persistence of these attacks raises legitimate questions about whether sufficient preventive measures are being taken and whether those who incite hatred against foreign nationals are being held accountable.

Every sovereign nation has the right to enforce its immigration laws. Illegal immigration is a legitimate policy concern that governments are entitled to address through lawful means. However, immigration enforcement cannot become a licence for mob justice, racial profiling or violence against Africans whose only offence may be their nationality or accent.

The leaders of groups that organise or incite violence against foreign nationals should be investigated and, where evidence exists, prosecuted under South African law. Freedom of expression does not extend to incitement of violence or criminal intimidation. Failure to enforce the law creates a culture of impunity that emboldens future attacks.

Nigeria should also internationalise the issue. The African Union, ECOWAS, SADC and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights should treat recurring xenophobic violence as a continental concern. African integration cannot thrive where Africans fear for their lives in another African country.

History imposes a moral obligation on South Africa. During the anti-apartheid struggle, Nigeria and many African states provided financial assistance, diplomatic backing, scholarships and refuge to South Africans resisting institutionalised racism. That shared history should inspire stronger efforts to ensure that no African is targeted simply because of where he or she comes from.

This is not an indictment of the South African people. Millions reject xenophobia and have stood in solidarity with migrants during periods of unrest. They represent the true spirit of Pan-Africanism. The challenge lies in ensuring that the rule of law prevails over mob sentiment.

Nigeria must equally fulfil its constitutional responsibility to protect its citizens wherever they reside. Evacuating citizens during crises is commendable, but it cannot substitute for justice. Every Nigerian killed, injured or dispossessed deserves to have his or her case officially documented and pursued through every available diplomatic and legal channel.

African unity cannot be built on silence while innocent Africans are attacked. Justice begins with documentation, accountability and the unwavering insistence that every African life matters equally.