Nigerian and South African lawmakers have clashed during a session at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, Africa Region Conference in Lilongwe, Malawi, over how attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa should be described and addressed.
The disagreement occurred during discussions on violence against foreign nationals at the conference, which brought together more than 300 lawmakers and officials from across Africa to discuss democracy, human rights and regional cooperation.
Nigerian lawmakers argued that recent attacks against foreigners in South Africa should be formally described as xenophobia.
They warned that avoiding the term could downplay the discriminatory nature of attacks targeting people because of their nationality.
South African representatives, however, strongly rejected the position and argued that discussions about the issue should also focus on unlawful migration and enforcement of South Africa’s immigration laws.
The opposing positions triggered a heated exchange between lawmakers from both countries during the session.
The disagreement highlights the continuing sensitivity surrounding attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa and the broader debate over how governments should balance immigration enforcement with the protection of migrants and other foreign residents.
A video of the heated exchange has since circulated online, drawing attention to the differing positions of the Nigerian and South African delegations.
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