Nigeria envoy braces for SA

by EMEKA OKONKWO
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – IT remains to be seen whether Nigeria’s incoming High Commissioner to South Africa will help mend or further strain relations between the two estranged nations.

This follows his outspoken yet conciliatory stance, coupled with criticism of one South African minister and praise for another amid the diplomatic fallout involving the continent’s two heavyweight nations.

Ambassador-designate Femi Fani-Kayode, who will also serve concurrently as Nigeria’s envoy to Eswatini and Lesotho, is widely regarded as one of the country’s most prominent and polarising political figures.

He is due to assume his new role at a time when relations between the two countries have arguably reached their lowest point.

Initially appointed ambassador-designate to Germany, he requested a transfer to South Africa for what he described as “personal and pan-African alignment reasons”, exchanging postings with Sam Enang.

President Bola Tinubu approved the request.

Having formally received his letters of credence from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July, Fani-Kayode is expected to travel to Pretoria to present his credentials to President Cyril Ramaphosa and officially begin his tenure.

Although no date has been announced, he is expected to arrive in the coming weeks, most likely this month.

Even before taking up his duties in South Africa, the former cabinet minister, lawyer and writer has called for compensation for aggrieved Nigerians.

His remarks have also underlined why he remains a divisive figure whose tenure in South Africa is likely to attract close attention.

Ahead of his posting, he criticised Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister in the Presidency, while praising Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, for their contrasting responses to tensions involving Nigerians in South Africa.

Both are influential members of President Ramaphosa’s administration.

Fani-Kayode cited remarks attributed to Ntshavheni during a diplomatic row, in which she was reported to have accused repatriated Nigerians of operating drug dens in South Africa.

“These words, coming from a high-ranking South African official, are disrespectful and disappointing. They represent a direct attack on the dignity, honour and integrity of our people,” the ambassador-designate said.

He also criticised reports that Ntshavheni had stated aggrieved Nigerians would not receive compensation.

Escalating his demands, Fani-Kayode urged South Africa to “stop the killing of Nigerians, treat our people like human beings, show them a modicum of decorum and respect, and pay compensation to all those who were unlawfully deprived of their lawful property.”

According to Nigerian Embassy officials in Pretoria, at least six Nigerians have been murdered in South Africa this year alone, bringing the total since 2022 to 98.

“Thankfully, for every Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni in the South African Government who displays nothing but disdain and contempt for the Nigerian people, there is a Minister Lamola, who interacts with us with courtesy and decency and shows us nothing but respect and understanding,” Fani-Kayode said.

Nigeria has evacuated 1 490 of its nationals from South Africa.

Despite the tensions, the incoming High Commissioner expressed hope that relations between the two countries could be restored.

“This is why the relationship between our two great countries matters and must be nurtured and sustained despite numerous difficulties and our many challenges.”

Nigeria-based political analyst Auta Ibrahim offered his assessment of how Fani-Kayode’s tenure might unfold.

“From an analytical perspective, Fani-Kayode’s contrasting treatment of Lamola and Ntshavheni reveals that he intends to use a ‘good cop, bad cop’ strategy in Pretoria,” he said.

“By praising Lamola, Fani-Kayode is deliberately keeping formal diplomatic channels open. In contrast, his fierce criticism of Ntshavheni is a calculated political move aimed at appeasing his domestic audience in Nigeria.”

Ibrahim predicted the posting would be highly volatile but potentially effective.

While relations were unlikely to collapse completely because of the strong economic ties between the two countries, he did not expect a smooth tenure.

“He is trying to show Pretoria that Nigeria can be a cooperative partner when respected, but a vocal and difficult adversary when pushed,” he added.

A South African-based political analyst shared a similar assessment.

“The incoming High Commissioner has immediately engaged with the highly emotive issues dominating the diplomatic landscape between Abuja and Pretoria,” he said.

The analyst drew parallels between Fani-Kayode’s appointment and that of United States Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III, whose country is also experiencing diplomatic tensions with South Africa.

“The two envoys signify a shift from traditional quiet diplomacy to a more confrontational style. This makes their respective arrivals a significant turning point in South Africa’s foreign relations,” he told CAJ News Africa.

– CAJ News