Nigeria tells South Africa to curb xenophobic attacks on migrants, questions state response

South Africa is currently facing significant economic and diplomatic strain as a result of rising xenophobic violence and a subsequent exodus of foreign workers. In key agricultural regions, businesses are struggling to maintain operations as crops remain unpicked due to a labor shortage, while factories report similar difficulties. This instability has led to the looting of foreign-owned shops and targeted attacks against African migrants, prompting regional concern over the safety of foreign nationals.

In response to the violence, the Nigerian government has formally urged South African authorities to implement more effective measures to protect migrants, questioning the state's response to the repeated incidents. Diplomatic tensions have been further highlighted by reports that Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declined to meet with a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. As the two nations engage in high-stakes talks to address these grievances, Pretoria has launched an investigation into the recent death of a Nigerian national to help mitigate the escalating friction.