Falana petitions African Commission over xenophobic attacks in S'Africa

May 20, 2026

Falana

Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana has petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights over “the persistent and escalating threats to the safety and security of Nigerians and other African nationals in the Republic of South Africa.”

In the communication submitted pursuant to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Falana called on the Commission “to urgently intervene and refer the matter to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for binding adjudication.”

In the petition sent on Tuesday to the African Commission, Falana highlights “a pattern of widespread and recurring xenophobic violence, including killings, physical assaults, arbitrary arrests, torture, looting of businesses, and forced displacement.”