Diplomatic pressure on South Africa is mounting as more African countries threaten retaliatory measures over renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians.

While no government has officially announced a total closure of borders, threats of blockades, trade suspensions and heightened security checks are gaining traction across the region, in what analysts and foreign policy experts describe as the most serious diplomatic fallout since the end of apartheid.

The latest wave of violence, which erupted between April 27 and 29, 2026, saw locals in Pretoria, Johannesburg and other cities stage protests against illegal immigration, with Nigerians and other African nationals bearing the brunt.

The attacks have revived longstanding claims that migrants accept lower wages, dominate informal trade and are involved in crime such as drug trafficking and fraud, allegations police data do not substantiate as a nationwide trend.

Neighbouring states such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, that account for the majority of South Africa’s migrant population, are on high alert, with many citizens seeking to return home as tensions escalate.

 

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