President Bola Tinubu refused to meet a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Nigeria this week. The diplomatic rebuff reflects mounting anger over ongoing xenophobic violence targeting Nigerians in South Africa.
The South African delegation, headed by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, carrying what officials described as an urgent message for the Nigerian leader. However, sources told Advocate the president declined the audience.
Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, advised against the meeting, according to diplomatic sources. She cited the relentless attacks on Nigerian nationals, their businesses and homes across South Africa as justification for the snub.
The timing proved particularly sensitive. Less than 24 hours before Lamola's arrival, a Nigerian man, Chika Ibe, was killed in Cape Town in circumstances that shocked the Nigerian community.
Video footage obtained by Advocate showed he was allegedly abducted from his home in Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville and beaten to death by South African police officers.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu made clear that any future diplomatic engagement required concrete action from Pretoria. She demanded South Africa ratify and present a signed copy of the Early Warning Mechanism agreement both nations inked in Abuja on October 22 last year.
South Africa has not ratified the pact, prompting frustration in Nigeria. The mechanism was designed to prevent violence against foreign nationals and create rapid communication channels between the two countries during security emergencies.
The agreement covers several critical areas. It establishes cooperation frameworks for monitoring threats, protecting citizens, handling consular issues and preventing criminal acts targeting nationals of either country.
Nigerian officials stressed the mechanism would have enabled compensation for business owners and property holders harmed during past xenophobic attacks. The framework creates legal pathways for victims to claim damages.
South African authorities have resisted compensating victims, arguing that formally registered properties can be sold through the country's property market. They claim structures in informal settlements lack legal status and therefore warrant no compensation.
At press time, Presidency sources said Tinubu had not agreed to receive Ramaphosa's delegation. Sources also noted that unclear outcomes emerged from a telephone conversation President Ramaphosa reportedly initiated over the weekend.
Nigeria has maintained a hardline position against xenophobic violence. The country reaffirmed this stance at the 69th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS heads of state and government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone recently.
