Diplomatic tension has emerged in Africa as Tanzania has taken a hard stance against South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
The move comes shortly after Botswana reportedly adopted a similar position, signaling growing regional pressure on Pretoria over the escalating crisis.
Tanzania’s leadership has now issued a strict ultimatum ordering South African citizens to leave the country within 48 hours or face enforced removal.
Furthermore, the government has moved to suspend all air and maritime trade links with South Africa.
According to officials, the decision was taken in response to continued violence against foreign nationals in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s President strongly condemned what she described as a failure by South African authorities to protect vulnerable communities.
She accused the government of ignoring repeated warnings and allowing attacks to persist unchecked.
In her statement, she said South Africa had “forgotten the support received during the struggle for independence” and was now allowing “our children to be humiliated in a country that once sheltered exiles who fought against apartheid.”
However, no immediate response has yet been issued by the South African government regarding the ultimatum or trade suspension.
The suspension of air and maritime trade is expected to impact commercial exchanges between both countries significantly.
Furthermore, the 48-hour ultimatum has placed additional pressure on diplomatic channels already strained by earlier criticisms from other African states.
