Xenophobia: S’Africa betrays Mandela’s legacy, says Tuggar - Punch Newspapers

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has condemned the targeting of Nigerians and other black Africans in South Africa, describing the hostility as a contradiction of the liberation struggles that united African countries against colonialism and racial oppression, which its former President, Nelson Mandela, stood for. Tuggar spoke on Thursday at the 2026 end-of-year event of The Bridge Club, held at the Continental Hotel in Lagos, where he was chairman of the occasion. Renowned Kenyan scholar and Pan-African advocate, Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba, delivered the keynote address. The former Foreign Affairs minister said it was unacceptable that Africans who benefited from the solidarity of other countries during the fight against apartheid were now facing discrimination, intimidation and hostility on the same continent. Tuggar warned that the development threatened the foundations of Pan-Africanism, insisting that Africa’s ambition for unity and shared prosperity would remain unattainable if citizens were unwelcome in other African countries because of their nationality or origin. Recalling Nigeria’s contributions to the liberation of Southern Africa, Tuggar said the country had committed considerable resources and diplomatic support to the struggle against apartheid and minority rule. He noted that Nigeria’s intervention included scholarships and assistance to victims of apartheid, particularly South African students who survived the 1976 Soweto massacre. He also recalled the country’s support for liberation movements and independence struggles in Namibia, Angola and other African territories subjected to colonialism and racial discrimination. According to him, the experience of his generation, which grew up embracing the ideals of African liberation, made the present treatment of Nigerians and other black Africans in South Africa difficult to reconcile with the continent’s history.Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources Tuggar said: “These are but a very few of the reasons why Nigerians cannot fathom why they and other black Africans are being targeted in South Africa. “Call it Afrophobia, which may be a better description than xenophobia, as non-black Africans appear to be exempted, or the more euphemistic framing of anti-migration protests; it is wrong and must be condemned.” He said the hostility was emerging at a time when African countries ought to be consolidating their relationships to improve their collective economic strength and influence in global affairs. While calling for condemnation of the attacks, the former minister said a proper understanding of the historical circumstances responsible for discrimination was necessary to address the problem. He traced the persistence of segregation and prejudice in African societies partly to colonial policies and the apartheid system, whose psychological and social effects, he argued, continued to shape interactions among communities. Tuggar called for stronger institutions, historical consciousness and intellectual engagement to challenge attitudes capable of weakening African solidarity. He further argued that the continent’s commitment to Pan-Africanism must be reflected in economic policies, particularly industrialisation and the removal of barriers to trade among African countries. Nigeria must invest in young leaders, says Chidoka Nigeria not doing enough to stop attacks – US Nigeria, Bangladesh explore partnership on inland waterways According to him, Africa would struggle to achieve economic independence if it continued exporting raw materials while relying on other regions for manufactured goods. He referenced the ideas of Nigerian development economist Adebayo Adedeji, and other African thinkers who advocated manufacturing, regional economic cooperation and the establishment of an African Economic Community. Tuggar identified the African Continental Free Trade Area as an important framework for advancing the vision through expanded trade, industrialisation and the movement of goods and services across the continent. He maintained that the free movement of workers was equally necessary if African countries were to achieve the full benefits of continental economic integration. He said: “The path to Pan-Africanism is through the continental free trade area. “As the father of capitalism, Adam Smith, once opined, the free circulation of labour is the foundation of any free trade system.” The former minister also raised concerns about the possible role of external interests in encouraging anti-migrant campaigns, urging greater scrutiny of the organisations and funding behind such activities. He warned that Nigeria and South Africa could not afford to allow xenophobic hostility and mutual suspicion to undermine their relationship, given its importance to Africa’s wider interests. Tuggar recalled South Africa’s support for Nigeria’s international engagements, including its efforts to secure membership of the Group of 20 (G20). Earlier, President of The Bridge Club, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), said the event’s theme, Xenophobia Contradicts Pan-Africanism, challenged African leaders and citizens to examine the gap between their declarations of unity and their treatment of fellow Africans. He argued that the principles of Pan-Africanism should be reflected in the daily conduct of Africans rather than restricted to diplomatic engagements, political speeches and economic agreements. He asked: “How can we genuinely aspire to a united Africa when an African is made to feel unwelcome, unsafe or unwanted in another African country simply because of nationality, ethnicity or origin?” Mustapha said the continent’s prosperity, security and dignity were inseparable, stressing that no African country could achieve sustainable progress by undermining another. He urged members of the club and other stakeholders to encourage tolerance, mutual respect and understanding among people from different national and cultural backgrounds. The gathering attracted professionals, business leaders, diplomats and other distinguished guests to deliberate on xenophobia, African unity and the need to build a more inclusive continent. Deborah Musa Deborah Musa is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience in journalism, including three years covering the judiciary. She focuses on producing accurate, well-researched reports that provide clarity on legal and justice-related issues. Deborah’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and editorial diligence.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.