Development expert warns anti-migrant crackdown in South Africa could trigger continental crisis

A Nigerian development expert, Cletus Ilugo, has warned that South Africa's crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals could undermine peace, economic growth and diplomatic relations across Africa if urgent measures are not taken to protect the rights of migrants and restore public confidence.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, Ilugo acknowledged that every sovereign nation has the right to address irregular migration and protect its labour market. However, he argued that the current approach, marked by community-led protests, forced evictions and attacks on foreign-owned businesses, poses serious security and humanitarian concerns.

"The way and manner the South Africans and her government are handling the issue is not quite acceptable given the fact that fundamental human rights of immigrants and migrants are also impaired," he said.

The development expert noted that South Africa is a signatory to international refugee conventions, which require the country to protect refugees and migrants regardless of their nationality. According to him, although governments have the responsibility to identify and remove undocumented migrants through lawful means, such efforts must not result in violence, intimidation or the abuse of legally resident foreigners.

He warned that continued attacks on migrants could provoke retaliatory actions against South African citizens and businesses in other African countries, threatening the continent's unity and stability.

"If this continues without adequate mitigation plans, the safety and stability of South Africa, and by extension Africa in general, will be threatened because most countries will have a reprisal action similar to what South Africa is doing in South Africa to South African citizens in other parts of Africa," he said.

Development Expert, Cletus Ilugo

Ilugo further cautioned that the growing hostility towards migrants risks eroding decades of regional cooperation and pan-African integration, potentially escalating into diplomatic disputes or, in extreme circumstances, wider conflicts between African nations.

He also condemned the reported looting of businesses owned by foreign nationals, describing such actions as an infringement on the rights of legitimate investors who have committed their resources to South Africa's economy.

According to him, persistent attacks on foreign-owned enterprises could discourage foreign direct investment, reduce tourism, weaken small business development and negatively affect South Africa's standing on global measures of ease of doing business.

“The grave implication of these actions of looting by South Africans is that it will repel business investors, it will repel tourists and small scale business development by foreigners in South Africa and those intending to come to South Africa because it will be classified as very unsafe for foreigners to do business,” he added.

Beyond South Africa, the development expert urged African governments to take proactive steps to prevent the crisis from spreading across the continent. He called on Nigeria and other countries to strengthen security around South African businesses and nationals within their territories to prevent possible reprisal attacks while pursuing diplomatic engagement with the South African government.

He also recommended that African governments intensify public awareness campaigns promoting peaceful coexistence, while strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa to identify and prosecute criminal elements operating under the guise of migration.

"There should be working operations and modalities between Nigeria and South African to identify criminal migrants who are causing a bad image of Nigeria in those environments to ensure that they are dealt with according to the law. This will make the relationship to be restored and confidence improved," he said.

Ilugo maintained that migration has historically contributed to the development of nations around the world, stressing that no country can achieve sustainable growth in complete isolation.

He called on the administration of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently intervene through dialogue, law enforcement and public education.

"If these are done, there will be no challenge and Nigeria and South Africa will continue to live together as friends and as brothers, and thereby promoting the collective growth and development of Africa in general," he added.