By Dennis Agbo
ABUJA — Former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly and former Southeast spokesman for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Okey Onoh, has criticised the South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, over his denial of xenophobia in South Africa.
Moroe, in a recent interview, had assured Nigerians that South Africa remained safe for tourists, business travellers and other visitors, insisting that “there’s no xenophobia in South Africa” when asked about reported attacks on foreigners.
Reacting in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Onoh disagreed with the envoy, arguing that the denial did not reflect the experiences of African migrants in South Africa.
He alleged that xenophobic and anti-immigrant sentiments remained a serious concern in parts of the country, citing reported attacks on foreign nationals and activities of groups he identified as Operation Dudula and other anti-immigrant organisations.
According to Onoh, the activities of such groups had created fear among African migrants and affected their businesses and livelihoods.
He also cited reports by human rights organisations and research bodies which, he said, had documented anti-immigrant sentiments and incidents involving attacks or discrimination against migrants.
Onoh argued that South Africa’s domestic economic and security challenges should not be blamed on African migrants, alleging that foreigners had sometimes been used as scapegoats for wider social and economic problems.
He called on the South African government to do more to protect foreign nationals and prosecute those responsible for attacks and discrimination against migrants.
Onoh also criticised what he described as the silence of some South African officials over reported attacks against African migrants, saying the country should uphold the principles of African solidarity that characterised the struggle against apartheid.
He recalled the support provided by African countries, including Nigeria, during the anti-apartheid struggle, arguing that the continent’s solidarity should be reciprocated through the protection of African nationals living and doing business in South Africa.
The former lawmaker further called for what he described as a coordinated continental response to attacks against African migrants in South Africa.
He argued that African countries should reconsider the economic and diplomatic benefits extended to South Africa if the safety and rights of their citizens could not be guaranteed.
Onoh said Nigeria should prioritise the safety and dignity of its citizens, while urging the South African authorities to address concerns surrounding xenophobic violence and discrimination.
Concluding his statement, Onoh said: “Keep your South Africa, while we keep our Nigeria.”
He maintained that Nigerians should feel safe and protected in their own country and urged the South African government to take concrete measures to protect African migrants and strengthen peaceful relations among African nations.
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