Editorial: When Diplomacy Comes Before Citizens
When Diplomacy Comes Before Citizens The recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa have once again exposed a painful reality in African geopolitics. The gap between the idea of African brotherhood and the experiences of ordinary Africans are different. For nearly two weeks, migrants from Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, and other African countries faced intimidation, harassment, displacement, and violence as anti-migrant groups blamed foreigners for unemployment, crime, and poor public services. South African authorities condemned the attacks, while President Cyril Ramaphosa attributed growing tensions to poverty and high unemployment. Yet for many victims, these explanations offered little comfort as businesses were destroyed and lives disrupted. What has generated particular debate in Nigeria is not only the attacks themselves but also the Federal Government's response. While countries such as Ghana moved quickly to document losses, engage international institution...