Falana urges sanctions on South African firms

Nigerian human rights lawyer Femi Falana called on the Federal Government to impose economic sanctions on South African companies operating in Nigeria in response to recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and the destruction of their businesses in South Africa. Speaking at Ilawe-Ekiti, Falana argued that diplomatic protests alone would not compel South Africa to act, and urged Nigeria to adopt a policy of reciprocity. He specifically encouraged Nigerians to patronize alternatives to MTN Group and advocated revoking mining licenses held by South African firms. Falana also criticized Nigeria for failing to grant its citizens access to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, which would allow victims to seek legal redress. He referenced Nigeria's 1970s nationalization of Faroe Petroleum as a historical precedent for economic measures.