Xenophobic Attacks: South Africa Angry Over Recall Of Nigerian Envoy

The South African government has criticised the Nigerian government for what it calls Nigeria’s decision to recall its ambassador over the xenophobic attacks.

The government of South Africa says its unfortunate and regrettable that a sister country like Nigeria would take such an action even when it is clear that the government of South Africa is taking steps to stop the attacks on sovereign nationals.

The South African Government expressed displeasure in a statement issued on Sunday by the Department of International Relations And Cooperation.

It revealed that Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, had just returned from Indonesia to attend the Africa-Asia Summit and the 60th Anniversary of the historic Bandung Conference and the Nigerian delegation present at that gathering did not express an intention “to formally raise the issue” with the South African side.

It, however, stated that “South Africa remains committed to a strong bond of friendship and bilateral relations with Nigeria”.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s two heads of mission in South Africa have arrived in their home country ahead of their appearance before the National Assembly.

Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner in South Africa, Ambassador Martin Cobham, and the Consul-General in South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, are to brief lawmakers on the welfare of Nigerians in the wake of the xenophobic attacks recorded in KwaZulu Natal and Johannesburg this month.

The Nigerian Union in South Africa says more than 4.6 million Rand, about 84 million Naira, has been lost by Nigerians to the xenophobic attacks, as against 1.2 million Rand (21 million Naira), initially estimated.

Al least seven people died over a month of attacks on foreigners and foreign owned property in South Africa.

Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, has been blamed for sparking the attacks with comments about foreign workers.

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Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.