The Impact of Xenophobic Attacks on Nigeria-South Africa Relations

Abstract:

Nigeria and South Africa are two sub-regional powers in Africa that in no small measure have contributed to the relative peace and security in the region. Geographically located in West and Southern Africa respectively, Nigeria and South Africa, in pursuit of their national interest, have for more than five decades been relating, with their diplomatic, defence, trade and socio-cultural ties having the conflict, cooperation and competition attributes. Since South Africa became a liberal democracy and beacon of human rights in 1994, the influx of documented and undocumented foreigners into the resource-rich country has been a worrisome issue for the indigenes who see them, among other things, as competitors for the few jobs available. Hence, the locals in some of South Africa’s townships have aggressively attacked foreign nationals, mostly African immigrants in 2008, 2015 and 2019 to mention a few. This research paper revisits the anti-foreigner violence in the rainbow nation with the aim of pointing out the impact on Nigeria-South Africa relations. The historical approach was adopted for this paper and the qualitative method of secondary data collection. Theoretically, the frustration-aggression theory and constructivism were combined.