Lawmaker Agbese writes Pan-African Parliament, demands action over xenophobic attacks in South Africa

The spokesman of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has called on the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the African Union (AU) to take urgent and decisive action against recurring xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants and foreign nationals in South Africa.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President of the Pan-African Parliament in Johannesburg, South Africa, Agbese described the attacks as a direct assault on the ideals of Pan-Africanism, African unity, human dignity and continental integration.

The lawmaker, who serves as a member of Nigeria’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament, expressed concern over what he described as repeated incidents of violence, intimidation, discrimination and exclusion directed at African nationals living in South Africa.

According to him, the attacks have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of businesses, displacement of families and widespread psychological trauma, while undermining decades of efforts aimed at fostering unity and cooperation among African nations.

“The recent and repeated attacks directed against African migrants and foreign nationals in South Africa constitute a grave assault on the ideals of Pan-African solidarity, African unity, human dignity, and mutual respect upon which the African Union project was founded,” Agbese stated.

He argued that xenophobic violence threatens the vision of a united Africa and weakens confidence in continental institutions established to promote integration, free movement of people and economic cooperation.

Agbese urged the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament to issue a strong condemnation of all forms of xenophobic violence, hate speech and discrimination against African nationals in South Africa.

He also called on the African Union Commission to engage directly with the South African government and relevant stakeholders to guarantee the protection of all African nationals residing in the country.

Among other recommendations, the lawmaker urged the AU to support monitoring and early-warning mechanisms, strengthen accountability for perpetrators of xenophobic crimes, and promote continent-wide campaigns on tolerance, coexistence and Pan-African values.

He further advocated compensation, rehabilitation and support programmes for victims whose lives and properties have been affected by the attacks.

Agbese stressed that the issue had become a matter of continental concern requiring a collective African response.

“The protection of African nationals abroad is not merely a bilateral matter; it is a Pan-African imperative,” he said.

The lawmaker outlined seven key actions he wants the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union to pursue, including condemning xenophobic attacks, ensuring protection for African nationals, prosecuting perpetrators, establishing monitoring mechanisms, promoting Pan-African education, supporting victims and reaffirming the rights of all Africans to life, dignity, equality and freedom from discrimination.

Agbese warned that xenophobia is incompatible with the aspirations of an integrated Africa and called on continental institutions to act decisively.

“An injury to one African is an injury to Africa itself,” Agbese stated, adding that only collective action and unwavering commitment to human rights can ensure that xenophobic violence has no place in Africa’s future.