South Africa and Nigeria clash over xenophobic violence
'Diplomatic tit-for tat' intensifies as Pretoria issues strongly worded statement criticising Nigeria

South Africa has criticised Nigeria for recalling its ambassador in the wake of a wave of xenophobic violence in the country, calling it an "unfortunate and regrettable step".
In a strongly worded statement, Pretoria said: "If this action is based on the incidents of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of our country, it would be curious for a sisterly country to want to exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda."
South Africa's government spokesman, Clayson Monyela, appeared to fan the flames further when he added that his country did not blame Nigeria "for the deaths and more than nine months delay in the repatriation of the bodies of our fallen compatriots" following the collapse of a building in Lagos last year. This "particularly snarky" media statement is the latest round in an ongoing "diplomatic tit-for-tat", says Quartz.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, Nigeria's deputy foreign minister Musiliu Obanikoro insists that Acting High Commissioner Martin Cobham and his deputy had not been recalled indefinitely. He tweeted that Cobham had merely been summoned back to Nigeria for consultation.
The xenophobic violence, which began in the port city of Durban and spread to Johannesburg, left at least seven people dead. Locals targeted homes and businesses owned by foreigners, particularly targeting migrants from other parts of Africa.
The violence has heightened "us and them" attitudes, creating bitterness and resentment among countries that hosted thousands of South African exiles during Apartheid, The Guardian reports.
Last week, Nigerian MPs put forward a motion – which was later defeated - to sever all diplomatic ties with South Africa, as mass protests took place across Nigeria.
South African businesses have also been threatened with closure unless action is taken to prevent further violence. Several multinational firms have significant interests in Nigeria, which overtook South Africa as the continent's biggest economy last year.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How generative AI is changing the way we write and speak
In The Spotlight ChatGPT and other large language model tools are quietly influencing which words we use
-
How long can Nato keep Donald Trump happy?
Today's Big Question Military alliance pulls out all the stops to woo US president on his peacemaker victory lap
-
Easy Money: the Charles Ponzi Story – an 'enlightening' podcast
The Week Recommends Apple Original podcast explores the 'fascinating' tale of the man who gave the investment scam its name
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
Kill the Boer: Elon Musk and the anti-apartheid song
Under the radar Billionaire reignites controversy by linking South African 'struggle song' to 'white genocide'
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos