A heated diplomatic dispute erupted between Nigerian and South African lawmakers at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference in Lilongwe, Malawi, over the contentious issue of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.

The confrontation occurred during a parliamentary session on how recurring attacks against foreign citizens should be officially described and addressed. The conference brought together more than 300 parliamentarians and government officials from across Africa to deliberate on democracy, governance and human rights.

Tensions rose when members of the Nigerian delegation demanded that the violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa be explicitly classified as “xenophobia” in the conference’s official records.

The Nigerian lawmakers argued that failing to use the term would downplay what they described as systemic hostility, discrimination and violence against African migrants living in South Africa.

However, the South African delegation strongly rejected the classification, arguing that discussions on the issue should focus instead on illegal migration, border control and enforcement of South African immigration laws.

The disagreement exposed lingering diplomatic sensitivities between the two countries over the treatment of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, particularly amid recurring reports of attacks and harassment linked to anti-foreigner sentiments.

The clash also highlighted the broader challenge facing African lawmakers in balancing concerns over xenophobia with national immigration policies and border security.