Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has recounted how Nigeria under his leadership, played a significant role in the eventual dismantling of apartheid in South Africa, submitting that “without the country’s leadership and interventions, South Africa would not have ended the system when it did.”
Speaking amidst ongoing xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa, the former president challenged the narrative of alleged criminality by migrants, insisting that illegal migration should be addressed through the law rather than violence or destruction of property.
Obasanjo made the remarks during an interview on C-Suite Café where he also recalled Nigeria’s financial and diplomatic support for the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
The former president posited that Nigeria’s involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle was driven by principle and opposition to racial discrimination, rather than an expectation of reward, stressing that the principle behind Nigeria’s support was that “no black person should be treated as inferior” because of race.
Underscoring the significant role Nigeria played in the eventual dismantling of apartheid, Obasanjo recalled working with international and African leaders during the struggle, including former United States Representative Andrew Young, former British Prime Minister James Callaghan, former Mozambican President Samora Machel and former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda.
Expressing displeasure at the treatment of migrants in South Africa, Obasanjo asserted that, “the existence of undocumented migrants did not justify unlawful actions against them.”
He said authorities and citizens should not respond to illegal migration by committing further violations, describing such actions as “using illegality to treat illegality.”
The former president questioned the practice of allowing local groups to destroy the homes or businesses of undocumented migrants.
He also challenged assumptions linking migrants generally to crime, asking what proportion of foreign nationals were actually involved in criminal activity and how many contributed to the economy by creating jobs.
Obasanjo linked resentment against migrants to broader governance and economic challenges, saying political pressure on the African National Congress and other governments across the continent could contribute to anti-immigrant sentiment when citizens’ economic expectations were not being met.
He said violence against migrants was inconsistent with efforts to promote African integration and economic cooperation.
The attacks continued last week with the killing of two more Nigerians in their homes by non-State actors enforcing South Africa’s immigration laws.
