A former Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland, Chief Joseph Ayalogu, has urged Nigeria and other African countries to seek compensation from the South African government for foreign nationals who have suffered losses as a result of recurring xenophobic attacks in the country.

 

Ayalogu made the call during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, where he expressed concern over the persistent attacks on businesses owned by foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, and called for stronger action from South African authorities.

 

According to the former diplomat, many migrants have lost their means of livelihood after their businesses were looted, vandalised, or forcefully taken over during outbreaks of anti-foreigner violence.

 

“It is unfortunate that they are targeting people’s businesses. I have seen reports and social media posts showing people deliberately going to foreign-owned businesses and taking them over,” he said.

 

He argued that the South African government should not only condemn the attacks but also consider compensating those whose investments and sources of income have been destroyed.

 

“It is unfortunate, and the government has to begin to think of compensating people who have lost their livelihood and investments there,” Ayalogu stated.

 

The former ambassador further maintained that African governments, including Nigeria, should adopt a stronger diplomatic approach and formally demand redress for their citizens affected by the violence.

 

“These are the things that countries, African countries, Nigeria included, should forcibly demand from the South African government,” he said.

 

Ayalogu stressed that South Africa already possesses the legal framework needed to prevent such attacks and only needs to enforce existing laws more effectively.

 

“We need affirmative action from the government of South Africa to really call this to order, rein in their people, and use the law. They have the law that prevents such attacks, so it is a matter of implementing it,” he added.

 

He also expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the inadequate response of the South African government and its leadership to repeated incidents of violence against foreign nationals.

 

“I am not satisfied with what the government has done, even the rhetoric of the president of South Africa,” he said.

 

According to him, the government should take a firmer stand by clearly declaring such acts criminal and ensuring that law enforcement agencies arrest and prosecute offenders.

 

“They should be firm to say, ‘This is not right or acceptable; it is a criminal offence to do this,’ and put out the police or whatever they have in the streets to bring those involved to order,” he noted.

 

Ayalogu further argued that the attacks appear to be directed mainly at fellow Africans rather than foreigners from Europe or North America.

 

“You wouldn’t say it is xenophobic because it is largely Afrophobic. They are not targeting Americans, Dutch or other Europeans living among them, many of whom are visibly doing better economically. Their resentment seems to be targeted at Africans,” he said.

 

His comments come amid renewed reports of attacks on African migrants in South Africa, where businesses owned by Nigerians and citizens of other African countries have reportedly been looted or forcefully occupied in some communities.

 

Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the evacuation of willing Nigerians from South Africa while continuing diplomatic engagements with Pretoria and exploring broader African Union intervention measures aimed at addressing the recurring violence.