Nigeria summons South Africa's High Commissioner over xenophobic attacks on Nigerian nationals
Primary region Africa
Tags Diplomacy
Regions Africa
Nigeria's Federal Government summoned the South African Acting High Commissioner to Abuja on May 4, 2026 following ongoing xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, with Nigerians among those affected. Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa stated the meeting aimed to convey Nigeria's profound concern about the attacks. The Nigerian government warned the attacks could impact cordial bilateral relations between the two countries. The incident adds to South Africa's growing diplomatic challenges, as US-South Africa relations have also deteriorated significantly, with the US declining to attend South Africa's G20 summit and not inviting South Africa to the 2026 US-hosted G20.
Strategic interpretation
The diplomatic incident strains relations between Africa's two largest economies at a time when South Africa faces multiple simultaneous international pressures. With US-South Africa relations already at a low point and Nigeria assuming the AU Peace and Security Council chairmanship for May, Abuja is positioned to leverage continental institutions in response. The xenophobic violence could also complicate AfCFTA implementation if bilateral trade relations deteriorate.