Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to impose economic sanctions on South African companies operating in Nigeria in response to recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and the destruction of their businesses in South Africa.
Falana said diplomatic protests alone would not compel the South African government to take decisive action against attacks targeting Nigerians, stressing that Nigeria must adopt measures based on the principle of reciprocity in international relations.
Speaking with journalists in Ilawe-Ekiti, he argued that while the Federal Government may consider lodging a complaint before the African Union over the attacks, such a move would have limited impact.
According to him, South Africa has significant influence within the African Union and any complaint may end with the adoption of a resolution without concrete enforcement.
Falana maintained that Nigeria has a responsibility to respond appropriately if Nigerians are being chased out of South Africa and their businesses destroyed.
The senior lawyer urged Nigerians to patronise alternatives to South African-owned businesses, including telecommunications giant MTN, saying such actions would send a strong message to the South African authorities.
Falana also advocated the revocation of mining licences granted to South African companies operating in Nigeria, insisting that stronger economic measures would demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
However, Falana also blamed the Nigerian government for failing to adequately protect its citizens from harassment and human rights violations across Africa.
According to him, Nigeria has denied its citizens an
