South African minister in Abuja for talks with Tinubu over xenophobia

Ronald Lamola has arrived in Abuja for emergency talks with President Tinubu following joint calls by Nigeria and Ghana for AU action on xenophobia.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola arrived in Abuja to hold high-level bilateral talks with President Bola Tinubu. The emergency diplomatic engagement follows joint calls by Nigeria and Ghana for the African Union to address rising regional migration disputes, xenophobic protests and the protection of foreign nationals across southern Africa.

The talks represent a significant diplomatic effort to address the recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa. Nigeria and Ghana have been the most vocal in calling for action, and Lamola’s visit is a recognition that the issue requires high-level engagement. The discussions are expected to focus on the protection of foreign nationals, the prosecution of perpetrators and the role of the African Union.

This echoes the 2019 diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa, which also involved high-level talks. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a recognition that the issue requires diplomatic engagement.

The winners: the Nigerian and South African governments, which are engaging diplomatically; and the African Union, which is being called upon to act. The losers: the victims of xenophobic violence, who continue to suffer; and the Nigerian public, who are watching closely.

Bottom Line: South Africa’s foreign minister is in Abuja for talks on xenophobia. The issue is urgent. The question is whether the talks will lead to action or just more dialogue.