Afrophobia Ignores Africa’s Shared History of Exile and Insecurity

To South Africans asking why other Africans move to South Africa, history offers an important reminder. During apartheid, many South Africans sought refuge across Africa. Nelson Mandela travelled to Algeria, Oliver Tambo lived in exile, and South African students studied in Nigeria because oppression had made life at home unbearable. Today, many Africans are also fleeing difficult conditions. Terrorism and insurgencies have displaced people across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, northern Nigeria, Chad and Mozambique. Groups including Boko Haram, ISIS affiliates and al-Qaeda-linked militants have made parts of these regions unsafe. The instability worsened after Libya's collapse, which opened routes for weapons across the Sahel. This is not only a problem for the countries directly affected. Insecurity, displacement and economic hardship can spread across borders and eventually affect the whole continent. Instead of treating migrants as enemies, Africans should recognise the shared history and security challenges behind migration. No country is immune when instability continues to expand across the region.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.