Xenophobic Attacks: Barau Says South Africa Risks International Court Battle
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has warned South Africa that it risks facing legal action at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), if it fails to halt the recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
Barau sounded the warning during the senate plenary while contributing to a debate on the persistent attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
The Senate Principal officer urged the Pretoria government to take urgent and decisive measures to protect lives and prevent the crisis from escalating.
“If countries begin taking cases to the International Court of Justice over the killing or injury of their citizens in another country, it will attract global attention,” the Deputy Senate President said.
According to him, South Africa should resolve the recurring attacks within its borders before they snowball into a diplomatic and international legal dispute.
Barau also recalled that South Africa had previously backed a case before the International Court of Justice over the Palestine conflict, stressing that the country should demonstrate the same commitment to justice by addressing xenophobic violence at home.
His intervention came as some senators, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, advocated tougher measures against South Africa. Among the proposals canvassed during the debate was the withholding of profits earned by South African companies operating in Nigeria to support victims of the attacks.
However, Barau urged restraint, noting that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs had already been mandated to investigate the incidents and recommend appropriate measures.
“We have already assigned the Committee on Foreign Affairs to look into this matter and come up with recommendations. Let us allow the committee to complete its assignment,” he said.
The Deputy Senate President also commended the Federal Government for pursuing diplomatic engagement over the matter and directed the committee to submit its report within two weeks for further consideration by the Senate.
