Nigerian and South African lawmakers clashed on Friday at the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region Conference in Lilongwe, Malawi, over whether attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa should be described as xenophobia.

Delegates Clash Over Terminology

Video footage from the session showed delegates standing and gesturing aggressively before briefly engaging in physical contact, while other participants intervened to separate them.

The disagreement centred on the description of violence against migrants in South Africa. Nigerian lawmakers insisted that the attacks should be called “xenophobia”, while South African representatives rejected the term and argued that illegal immigration and enforcement of immigration laws should be the focus.

Dispute Draws Attention at Conference

The confrontation occurred at the Bingu International Convention Centre, where more than 300 delegates from across Africa are attending the conference, which runs from August 9 to 16, 2026.

The conference is focused on renewing the social contract and strengthening the role of parliaments in promoting inclusive growth. The dispute has, however, drawn attention amid broader discussions on governance, human rights and regional cooperation.

Nigeria, South Africa Differ Over Migrant Attacks

South Africa has experienced recurring outbreaks of violence against foreign nationals, incidents that Nigerian and other African officials have frequently described as xenophobic attacks.

South African authorities have condemned violence against migrants while also stressing the need to address undocumented migration and enforce immigration laws.

The latest confrontation highlights the continuing disagreement between Nigeria and South Africa over how violence against foreign nationals should be understood and addressed.