Key facts
- Nigeria and South Africa agreed to de-escalate tensions over xenophobic attacks.
- South Africa committed to prosecuting those responsible for attacks on foreign nationals.
- Nigeria is compiling compensation claims for its citizens who suffered losses.
- Both nations pledged to reduce inflammatory public discourse regarding the violence.
- Nigeria sought enhanced protection measures for its citizens in South Africa.
Nigeria and South Africa have agreed to de-escalate tensions and tone down rhetoric following recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals. The commitments were made during talks in Abuja between Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, and South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola. South Africa assured Nigeria that perpetrators of the attacks would be prosecuted, and Abuja is compiling claims for property losses suffered by Nigerians for potential future compensation discussions. Nigeria also requested stronger safeguards for its citizens, including an early warning system and increased police protection. South African officials condemned xenophobia and stated that criminal activities involving foreign nationals must be addressed through the legal system, not vigilante action. The violence has reignited a longstanding source of friction between Africa's two largest economies, with Nigeria having repatriated approximately 1,490 citizens following the unrest.