Justice for All: Falana Petitions African Rights Bodies Over South Africa Xenophobia
Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has formally called upon the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) to investigate what he describes as "systemic and state-sanctioned" xenophobic violence in South Africa. As of May 21, 2026, the petition comes amid a terrifying surge in targeted attacks, killings, and institutional discrimination against Nigerian nationals and other African migrants. People armed with spears, batons and axes in Johannesburg’s Katlehong Township during a new wave of anti-foreigner violence. Why is Femi Falana calling for an international investigation? In my opinion, the domestic legal avenues within South Africa have failed to provide adequate protection for foreign nationals. I suspect that the reported deaths of Nigerians including Amamiro Chidierbere Emmanuel on April 25, 2026 at the hands of security personnel signify a dangerous shift from mob violence to state-sponsored aggression. Falana’s petition ...