South Africa’s xenophobia crisis has escalated from a bilateral dispute with Ghana into a continental confrontation. Nigeria formally joined Ghana over the weekend in demanding Pretoria act against attacks on foreign nationals, marking the first time two of Africa’s largest economies have simultaneously confronted South Africa on the issue.

Why it matters: The diplomatic fallout threatens South Africa’s relationships across the continent at a time when it needs African solidarity on trade, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and its bid to maintain continental leadership.

The escalation

The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg issued a circular on 22 April reporting violent demonstrations in East London, Cape Town, Durban and parts of KwaZulu-Natal. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission urged citizens to remain indoors, close shops and avoid protests.

Ghana went further, evacuating Emmanuel Asamoah, a Ghanaian legally residing in South Africa who was attacked by a vigilante group despite producing valid documentation. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa called the attacks a betrayal of Pan-Africanism.

The May 4 threat

A group organising a nationwide shutdown for 4 May has declared openly: “We are xenophobic. We want all foreigners, documented or not, out of this country.” The planned action follows months of Operation Dudula and March and March protests targeting foreign shop owners and demanding identity documents from people suspected of being foreign.

The other side

Organisers of anti-immigration movements argue that undocumented migrants strain public services, undercut wages and contribute to crime in communities already facing 32% unemployment. They point to municipal service failures and say the government has failed to enforce immigration law.

Supporters of foreign nationals counter that South Africa’s constitution protects everyone within its borders and that the country benefited from African solidarity during apartheid. Ghana and Nigeria both played frontline roles in the anti-apartheid struggle.

South Africa’s response

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia condemned the violence, saying attacks on foreign nationals were unlawful and violated constitutional values. “Acts of xenophobia, violence, looting, or intimidation will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Cachalia said.

However, critics in both Nigeria and Ghana have described the response as weak compared to the scale of the violence.

What happens next

The 4 May shutdown will test whether government rhetoric translates into enforcement. The IEC faces a separate question: whether anti-foreigner sentiment will shape party platforms ahead of the 2026 municipal elections, with voter registration weekend set for 20-21 June.