Nigeria’s government has summoned South Africa’s top diplomat in Abuja over attacks on foreigners in the country, foreign ministry said Saturday.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised economy, has long been destination for legal and undocumented African workers across the continent.
But with unemployment above thirty percent, it has faced repeated waves of xenophobic and anti-migrant protests in recent weeks there.
South Africa’s acting high commissioner in Abuja will meet Nigerian officials Monday over mistreatment of citizens and business attacks.
The summons follows Ghana’s foreign ministry calling in South Africa’s acting high commissioner over xenophobic incidents against Ghanaians recently reported.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa cited incident in KwaZulu-Natal where Ghanaian legal resident was told to leave South Africa country.
The statement warned of escalating tensions, with foreign nationals including Ghanaians advised to remain indoors for their safety there now.
There are more than three million foreigners living in South Africa about 5.1 percent of the population according statistics agency.
More than 63 percent come from countries in sixteen member Southern African Development Community SADC bloc according to official data.
South Africa’s acting police minister condemned anti-immigrant violence saying attacks on foreign nationals are unlawful violate constitutional values dignity equality.