Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged the Federal Government to impose economic sanctions on South African companies operating in Nigeria over repeated xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
Falana said diplomatic protests alone would not be enough to force the South African government to take decisive action against attacks on Nigerians and the destruction of their businesses.
The senior lawyer, who spoke with journalists in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State, called for measures based on the principle of reciprocity in international relations.
He noted that although Nigeria could petition the African Union over the attacks, the move might have limited impact because of South Africa’s influence within the continental body.
Falana insisted that Nigeria must take stronger steps to protect its citizens abroad, especially if Nigerians are being targeted and their businesses destroyed in another country.
He advised Nigerians to consider patronising alternatives to South African-owned businesses, including telecommunications giant MTN, as a way of sending a strong message to the South African authorities.
The legal practitioner also called for the possible revocation of mining licences held by South African companies in Nigeria, arguing that economic actions would demonstrate the government’s commitment to defending Nigerians.
Falana, however, criticised the Nigerian government for failing to adequately protect its citizens facing harassment and human rights abuses across Africa.
He accused the government of denying Nigerians access to an important legal avenue by failing to recognise the jurisdiction of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for individual petitions.
According to him, victims of xenophobic attacks would have been able to seek justice at the continental court if Nigeria had granted citizens access to it.
Falana said, “International diplomacy is about reciprocity. If they chase out Nigerians and destroy their businesses, Nigeria has a duty to act. South African companies should be sanctioned where there are alternatives.”
He recalled that Nigeria took economic actions against British interests during the apartheid era in South Africa, arguing that similar measures could be considered if necessary.
The lawyer urged the Federal Government to allow Nigerians direct access to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, similar to the access citizens have to the ECOWAS Court, to seek justice for rights violations.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.