South Africa Attacks on Africans Undermine Pan-African Unity, Tuggar Says

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has condemned hostility towards fellow Africans, describing xenophobia and anti-migrant discrimination as a betrayal of the principles of Pan-Africanism.

Tuggar urged African countries to recommit themselves to unity and solidarity, warning that growing discriminatory attitudes in parts of the continent, especially South Africa, undermine the vision of a united Africa.

He spoke at the 2026 end-of-year gathering of The Bridge Club, where renowned African scholar and public intellectual, Professor P. L. O. Lumumba, delivered the keynote address. Tuggar presided over the event as chairman.

The former minister said it was disturbing that Nigerians and other black Africans were being targeted in South Africa, a country whose struggle against apartheid received substantial support and sacrifices from Nigeria and other African nations.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s historical role in the anti-apartheid struggle, Tuggar said his generation was raised with a deep commitment to securing freedom for Africans living under racist governments.

He recalled that following the June 1976 Soweto massacre, survivors were welcomed into Nigerian boarding schools and provided with scholarships after Nigeria took responsibility for their welfare.

He also highlighted the creation of the South African Relief Fund, which followed the intervention of Mrs. Maude Obanye, the wife of a Nigerian diplomat, as evidence of Nigeria’s longstanding dedication to the liberation of other African countries.

Tuggar stressed that Nigeria backed its opposition to apartheid with concrete actions, including difficult economic and diplomatic decisions.

Among the measures he recalled were the nationalisation of Barclays Bank and British Petroleum in support of the struggle against the apartheid regime.

“These are but a very few of the reasons why Nigerians cannot fathom why they and other black Africans are being targeted in South Africa,” he said.

He described the discrimination as Afrophobia, arguing that it went beyond conventional xenophobia because non-black foreigners appeared to be treated differently.

Nevertheless, Tuggar warned that historical circumstances should not be used to defend or excuse attacks against migrants.

As he put it, “context is not justification.”

Explaining the historical roots of divisions among Africans, the former minister identified colonial administrative practices as a major factor behind segregation across the continent.

He said colonial systems encouraged divisions based on ethnicity, culture and economic interests, leaving psychological consequences that continue to shape relationships between African communities.

Tuggar also lamented that the continent had failed to adequately convert the gains of political independence and liberation into economic collaboration.

He argued that Africa must move away from its dependence on exporting unprocessed commodities and importing finished products by investing more in manufacturing, industrial development and trade among member countries.

The former minister identified the African Continental Free Trade Area as a major platform for addressing these challenges and strengthening economic integration across the continent.

He maintained that greater regional cooperation and industrialisation were essential to achieving Africa’s shared development ambitions.