By Fredrick Ameh
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned against retailation over the resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa targeting of Nigerian migrants and other African nationals.
The Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf in a statement on Wednesday attributed the violence to deep-seated socio-economic frustrations in South Africa.
He noted that high unemployment, poverty, and inequality have led frustrated citizens to wrongly channel their anger toward successful Nigerian entrepreneurs and professionals active in the retail and informal sectors.
Addressing calls from some quarters, including members of the National Assembly, for retaliatory measures against South African interests in Nigeria, the CPPE warned that such a move would be inappropriate, disproportionate, and counterproductive.
Dr. Yusuf cautioned that targeting South African investments such as MTN Group, Shoprite, MultiChoice, and Standard Bank would trigger severe economic blowback, job losses and thousands of Nigerians employed by these firms would face immediate vulnerability.
He also disagreed with calls by made some Senators to nationalize assets and revoke licenses. He noted that it would damage Nigeria’s reputation as a safe destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).
He further emphasized that the attacks represent a failure of policing and intelligence gathering by South African authorities.
Dr. Yusuf insisted that the South African government has a fundamental obligation to protect all residents within its borders.
“The South African authorities must demonstrate unequivocally that such conduct will not be condoned,” Yusuf stated, calling for the prompt prosecution of offenders and firm political messaging to dismantle anti-migrant rhetoric.
The policy think-thank also urged the Nigerian government to strengthen bilateral diplomatic channels to ensure the safety of its citizens while preserving mutually beneficial economic ties.
The statement concluded that while South Africa must address its internal structural weaknesses including weak public service delivery and institutional gaps both nations must prioritize the rule of law to safeguard the broader objective of African economic integration.