Human rights lawyer urges economic retaliation, says diplomatic protests alone won’t stop attacks on Nigerians in SA
Human rights lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the Federal Government to take strong economic measures against South African companies operating in Nigeria, following the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and the destruction of their businesses in South Africa.
Speaking on Saturday in Ilawe Ekiti after a reception for the late Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, Falana argued that mere diplomatic protests would not compel the South African government to take decisive action against the attacks targeting Nigerians.
The senior advocate urged the Federal Government to adopt measures based on the principle of reciprocity in international relations.
“The Federal Government will have to employ diplomatic action, but beyond that, it should also adopt economic measures against South African companies operating in Nigeria,” 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 here should be sanctioned where there are alternatives.”
Falana specifically mentioned MTN, suggesting that Nigerians should be encouraged to patronise alternative telecom providers.
“Where there are alternatives, Nigerians should be encouraged to migrate from MTN because there are alternatives. That is one way South Africa will know that Nigeria is serious,” he stated.
The rights activist recalled that in the 1970s, Nigeria nationalised British Petroleum in response to apartheid in South Africa, and suggested that a similar approach could be adopted today.
“In the 1970s, because of apartheid in South Africa, Nigeria nationalised British Petroleum. It should also be possible today to nationalise some South African investments in Nigeria if necessary,” he said.
Falana also criticised the Federal Government for failing to allow Nigerians access to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, established by the African Union to address human rights abuses in member states.
He noted that while the government has approached the African Union to protest the attacks, such a move might only end with the adoption of a resolution without concrete enforcement.
“Nigeria has refused to allow its nationals access to that court by failing to deposit the necessary instruments,” Falana said.
“If Nigerians could approach the African Court in the same way citizens can approach the ECOWAS Court in Abuja, South Africa would have been dragged before the court by victims of xenophobic attacks.
“I challenge the government of Nigeria to allow citizens access to the African Court without any further delay. Victims of gross human rights violations in African countries should have the opportunity to seek justice before the continental court, just as they can at the ECOWAS Court.”
