A former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Ahmed Ibeto, has called on Nigeria and other African countries to seek compensation for victims of xenophobic attacks, arguing that those affected by recurring violence in South Africa deserve justice and adequate support.

Ibeto made the call while reacting to renewed concerns over xenophobic incidents targeting foreign nationals, particularly Africans living and working in South Africa. He expressed concern over the recurring nature of the attacks and urged African governments to take stronger measures to protect their citizens.

According to the former envoy, repeated incidents of violence against foreign nationals have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and significant economic hardship for victims and their families.

“Compensation should be demanded for those who have suffered losses. People have lost their lives, businesses have been destroyed, and many have been displaced. There must be accountability,” he said.

Ibeto stressed that while diplomatic engagements remain important, African governments must move beyond condemnation and pursue concrete measures that would provide relief to victims and deter future attacks.

He argued that the sacrifices made by several African countries during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle should not be forgotten, noting that many nations on the continent supported the liberation movement politically, economically, and diplomatically.

“We all contributed to the struggle against apartheid. Many African countries stood with South Africa during its most difficult period, and that history should not be ignored,” he stated.

The former ambassador called for stronger cooperation among African leaders to address the root causes of xenophobia, including unemployment, economic inequality, and misinformation that often fuel hostility toward foreign nationals.

He also urged governments across the continent to strengthen mechanisms for monitoring the welfare of their citizens abroad and to respond swiftly whenever threats emerge.

According to him, the safety and dignity of Africans living in other African countries should be a collective responsibility, adding that regional institutions have a role to play in promoting peaceful coexistence and protecting human rights.

Ibeto emphasized that African integration cannot be achieved in an environment where citizens of one country are subjected to discrimination and violence in another.

“There should be no room for xenophobia in Africa. We must promote unity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among our people,” he said.

He further called on South African authorities to ensure that perpetrators of xenophobic violence are brought to justice and that adequate measures are put in place to prevent future attacks.

The comments come amid renewed debate over the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa, where periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence have strained diplomatic relations and raised concerns about the safety of migrants from other African countries.

Observers have repeatedly warned that unless the underlying social and economic challenges are addressed, incidents of xenophobia may continue to threaten regional stability and undermine efforts aimed at fostering greater African unity and integration.

For many stakeholders, the demand for compensation reflects a broader call for accountability, justice, and stronger protections for Africans living outside their countries of origin.