Former Minister Calls For Nigeria To Sue South African Government Over Xenophobia

The former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi has said that the South African government is responsible for the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

The Professor outlined five reasons why the South African government should be held responsible for the violence that has been carried out by South African citizens.

He has blamed the statement issued by Dr Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, Minister for International Relations who branded Nigerians as drugs dealer. He also chastised remarks from Deputy Police Minister, Bongani Mkongi that they fought for their land and that that land would not be surrendered to immigrants; and the statement credited to the South African Defence Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula that South Africa is an angry nation and that the country could not prevent the xenophobic attacks.

Growing unemployment in South Africa has meant that many are looking for someone to blame and certain government officials have blamed immigrants rather than recognising the ANC’s own role in the current economic crisis.

Concluding that South African State sponsored or condoned the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other immigrants, the Professor said this was a violation of Article 2, paragraph 2 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Article 2, paragraph 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; United Nations Convention on the elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination and International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers.

"I therefore call on Nigeria to sue South Africa before the International Court of Justice for failure in its duty of care and protection of Nigerian citizens resident there. I furthermore call on Nigeria to file complaints against specific South African officials at the International Criminal Court for aiding and abetting the xenophobic attacks," he said.