Three diaspora organisations have condemned the renewed xenophobic attacks against African nationals, especially Nigerians, in South Africa, describing the development as disturbing and unacceptable.

The groups, The International Watchers, Global Peace Movement International and Diaspora Accountability Network Nigeria, in a joint statement, said the recent killings of two Nigerians had heightened fear and anxiety among Nigerians and the wider African diaspora community.

The statement was jointly signed by Dr Olusegun Ademola, Chairman of The International Watchers, Dr Mike Uyi, President of Global Peace Movement International, and Dr Beatrice Etim-Onyemachi, Secretary General of Diaspora Accountability Network Nigeria.

The organisations said the latest attacks were painful reminders of a dangerous pattern that had repeatedly strained relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

They recalled that previous xenophobic attacks in South Africa had claimed Nigerian lives, displaced families and destroyed businesses built over many years by Nigerians and other African nationals.

According to the groups, the 2019 outbreak of xenophobic violence led to deaths, widespread destruction of shops and commercial property, and exposed Nigerian-owned investments to severe losses.

They noted that Nigerians had contributed significantly to the South African economy through trade, services, hospitality, technology, education, entertainment, real estate and small-scale enterprises.

The organisations described the attacks as mindless, unjustifiable and completely uncalled for, stressing that unemployment, crime, weak service delivery and social frustrations could not justify violence against foreign nationals.

They added that the recurring attacks contradicted the spirit of Pan-African solidarity, recalling that many African countries stood with South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle.

The groups also commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, for his intervention during previous xenophobic crises when he provided rescue flights and humanitarian support for distressed Nigerians returning home.

They called on the Federal Government to move beyond routine diplomatic protests and adopt stronger measures to protect Nigerians abroad.

According to the statement, the Nigerian government should demand transparent investigations into the recent deaths, ensure prosecution of those responsible, strengthen diplomatic engagement with South Africa and establish a rapid-response diaspora protection mechanism.

The groups also urged the government to provide emergency support for affected Nigerians, including legal assistance, evacuation support, trauma care and temporary relief.

They further called on South African authorities to carry out swift and credible investigations into recent attacks, prosecute perpetrators, strengthen intelligence gathering in vulnerable communities and intensify public education against xenophobia and hate speech.

The organisations stressed that Africa could not afford a situation where Africans became unsafe in other African countries.

They maintained that all Nigerian lives matter regardless of location and insisted that justice, accountability and concrete action were urgently needed to end the recurring attacks.