A senior Nigerian legal practitioner has issued an urgent international appeal to relocate a major African women’s legal conference from South Africa, citing escalating xenophobic violence and growing fears for delegate safety.
Ruth Zikachat Kaburuk-Badung, a long-standing member of the Internatoional Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), warned that the planned 2026 FIDA Regional Congress in Cape Town, South Africa could place dozens of African delegates, particularly Nigerians, at risk.
The high-profile gathering, scheduled for November 10–14, is expected to draw legal professionals and gender rights advocates from across the continent under the theme: “Uniting Voices, Advancing Justice: Building a Stronger Africa for All.”
But Kaburuk-Badung says the ideals of unity and justice are being undermined by real-world violence.
“I cannot in good conscience attend a Congress in a jurisdiction where my safety is not guaranteed,” she wrote in a formal letter addressed to FIDA’s international leadership.
Rising Violence Sparks Alarm
Her warning comes amid renewed reports of xenophobic unrest across parts of South Africa, including Cape Town, Durban, and Gauteng. Nigerian authorities have already issued safety advisories, urging citizens to remain indoors and shut down businesses in affected areas.
At least two Nigerians were reportedly killed in mid-April, according to consular confirmations, while protests targeting foreign nationals have intensified in recent weeks.
The crisis has raised questions about the viability of hosting a continental event centered on justice and human rights in a country grappling with violence against fellow Africans.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
Kaburuk-Badung argues that the situation may violate key international protections, including provisions under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the right to life, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
She emphasized that the attacks disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including women, potentially exposing FIDA to reputational and ethical risks if the event proceeds as planned.
“Over 40 percent of expected delegates are Nigerians,” she noted, adding that the current climate could lead to reduced participation and undermine the legitimacy of the congress.
Call for Rwanda Relocation
As an alternative, Kaburuk-Badung proposed relocating the conference to Rwanda, citing its track record in gender inclusion, security, and hosting international events.
The East African nation has gained global recognition for its high representation of women in government and its reputation as a stable conference destination.
A Test for African Solidarity
The appeal places FIDA’s leadership at a crossroads, balancing logistical commitments with the safety of its members and the symbolic weight of its mission.
Relocating the congress, Kaburuk-Badung argues, would send a clear message that the organization stands firmly against xenophobia and in solidarity with victims of violence.
Failure to act, she suggests, risks contradicting the very principles the congress seeks to promote.
As tensions continue to simmer, the decision could shape not only the success of the 2026 gathering but also broader perceptions of unity and accountability within Africa’s legal and human rights community.
