By Reborn Jude
National News
South Africa’s Consul-General in Lagos, Professor Bobby J. Moroe, has called for healing, reconciliation and renewed cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa following recent incidents of anti-migrant violence and attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
Speaking at the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Forum in Lagos, themed “The Future of Nigeria-South Africa Relations: Advancing Bilateral Cooperation in a Changing World,” Moroe said the criminal acts committed by vigilante groups should not be seen as a reflection of South Africa or its people.
He stressed that the South African government had unequivocally condemned the attacks and was taking decisive action against those responsible. According to him, law enforcement agencies have arrested more than 80 suspects across six provinces, with prosecutions expected to commence soon.
Moroe explained that while some vigilante groups had targeted migrants under the guise of fighting illegal immigration, the South African Constitution protects both documented and undocumented migrants. He maintained that only legally authorised immigration officials and law enforcement agencies have the mandate to enforce immigration laws, warning that taking the law into private hands undermines democracy and the rule of law.
He also dismissed suggestions that the South African government was sponsoring or supporting attacks on foreign nationals, describing such claims as misinformation. He noted that retaliatory actions and growing anti-South African sentiments in Nigeria were based on false narratives that could damage the longstanding relationship between both countries.
Reflecting on the historical ties between the two nations, Moroe recalled Nigeria’s unwavering support during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. He said Nigeria stood firmly behind the liberation movement when many countries remained silent, describing the bond between both nations as one built on sacrifice, solidarity and shared history.
“This year marks 32 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa. Our relationship was built not merely through agreements but through shared sacrifices. Nigeria supported our struggle for freedom, and that history should never be forgotten,” he said.
The envoy urged both countries to move beyond past misunderstandings and embrace reconciliation, saying, “How can a brief moment of anger erase decades of solidarity? Let us fall in love again with each other’s land.”
Moroe, however, emphasised that reconciliation must extend beyond speeches and symbolic gestures. He said both governments should create favourable economic conditions that generate employment, reduce poverty and improve the welfare of citizens, arguing that stronger economies would help reduce migration pressures and strengthen bilateral ties.
He added that protecting citizens and migrants alike is a shared responsibility of both sending and receiving countries, noting that stronger cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa would promote stability across the continent.
On continental affairs, Moroe called on both countries to jointly advocate reforms of global institutions, including the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions. He argued that Africa deserves two permanent seats with veto powers on the Security Council, while voting rights within international financial institutions should better reflect the realities of today’s global economy.
The South African diplomat also urged both nations to maximise opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying Nigeria and South Africa should work together as partners rather than competitors to ensure that trade benefits remain within Africa and create meaningful employment opportunities for the continent’s growing youth population.
He concluded that deeper cooperation, mutual respect and economic partnership would strengthen relations between the continent’s two largest economies and reinforce Africa’s collective voice on the global stage.
