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Tag: South Africa

  • Xenophobia: South Africa proposes offer to Nigerian youths

    Xenophobia: South Africa proposes offer to Nigerian youths

    Bobby Moroe, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja, held a meeting with some Nigerian youth groups and proposed cultural exchange programmes between the two countries.

    The meeting was organised by the high commission in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Global Peace Initiative (GPI) and Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) and National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS).

    While briefing the media on outcome of closed door meeting with NANS, NYCN and CYMS, Moroe said that South African government would partner Nigeria to implement an exchange programme with the youths.

    The high commissioner said that the initiative provides that Nigerian youths and students leaders travel to South Africa on cultural exchange and dialogue with their counterparts, as a way forward to the present situation.

    According to him, this is to encourage exchange of ideas and views to promote relations between the two countries from the prism of youth leaders and come up with progressive recommendations, NAN reports.

    Moroe said: “The NYCN, GPI and CYMS have declared their readiness to do this and we are making arrangement to achieve the desired goals.

    “Based on the discussion that we had, it is important for us to chat the cause for unity between Nigerians and South Africans at this period, because we share historical values.

    “There is a need for us to cultivate the culture of tolerance and co-existence between the people of South Africa and people of Nigeria.

    “It is important that we take advantage of the dialogue that we have had today to rebuild the much needed social engagement.

    “It is important to educate the youth of South Africa and Nigeria to understand the history of cordiality shared between both countries and by such means there can be appreciation”.

    Also speaking, Mr Bala Shagari, President of NYCN, said the meeting was important for both countries to tow that path of peace, rather than looting of shops and business properties.

    ‘’We believe that it is important that we engage in discussion with the South African people to proffer solutions to xenophobic attacks, rather than escalating the problem which can bring shame to the continent.

    “As a result of our discussion we have agreed that we are going to South Africa to hear from them directly and to also get to the root cause of the problem and bring an end to it,” Shagari said.

    He said that solution to the crisis should not just be left for governments of both countries alone, but urged youths to key into platforms for engagement in discussions to chat way forward.

    Also, the Director General of CYMS, Obinna Nwaka, promised to produce comprehensive reports from the programme and submitted to governments of both countries.

    “This issue about xenophobic attack is not just for governments alone, it is the youth, who can really proffer solution to it and they should not be left behind.

    He, however, appealed to Nigerians to be patient, calm and remain peaceful in their dealings, to promote amicable resolution of the dispute.

    The date and duration of the proposed programme is yet to be decided by the high commission and the youth based organisations.

    Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), has opposed the proposed cultural exchange programme between Nigeria and South African youths to address xenophobic attacks on Nigeria and promote unity between the two countries.

    The President of NANS, Danielson Akpan, said this shortly after a news briefing by the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria.
    Akpan said the proposed exchange programme by the South African High Commission and the Federal Government for youths and students’ body would not work in view of the prevailing situation in South Africa.

    ”We do not need the proposed exchange programme; how do you carry out exchange programme in a place where you are not safe?
    “Our members who are schooling in South Africa have been calling us that they want to come back home.”

    He said attacks by South Africans on Nigerians and other nationals were unjustifiable and condemnable

  • Xenophobia: Why Buhari must sue South Africa – Falana

    Human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, on Wednesday asked the Nigeria’s Federal Government to sue the South Africa government and demand compensation for Nigerian victims of the xenophobic attack in the country.

    Falana, in a statement, titled: “Beyond the condemnation of xenophobic attacks by the federal government,” said like its counterpart in Nigeria, the political class in South Africa had failed to address the challenge of poverty and inequality confronting the majority of the black people.

    “Even though apartheid was defeated by the people of South Africa over two decades ago, the unjust socio-economic system erected by capitalism had not been dismantled. The crisis has been compounded by wanton corruption and the neo-liberal policies of the government.

    “Hence, the South African masses have been denied the dividends of democracy by the African National Congress-led government. In particular, the masses have no access to health, housing, education and employment. Out of sheer frustration, millions of young people in South Africa have decided to subject African immigrants to xenophobic attacks,” he said.

    According to Falana, the African National Congress, ANC, must accept responsibility for the misdirected antagonism against poor African imigrants.

    He said apart from the official condemnation of the shameful and cowardly attacks, the South African Government should fish out the culprits and prosecute them.

    “In addition to the payment of adequate compensation to all the victims of the mindless attacks the Government must teach South Africans about the immense contributions of the people of Cuba and a number of African countries to the struggle waged against apartheid and colonialism in the Southern African region.

    “However, since the Cyril Ramaphosa administration is not likely to accede to the demand for compensation the federal government should brief a team of lawyers to seek legal redress for the victims of the attacks in South African courts.

    “The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria should be directed to coordinate the legal defence. In view of the regular harassment of Nigerians in South Africa and a few other African countries, the federal government should make the Declaration to enable individual victims of human rights abuse to access the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights sitting in Arusha, Tanzania,” he said.

    The activist said since there was no assurance that Nigerians and other Africans would no longer be subjected to xenophobic attacks, the federal government should boycott the World Economic Forum scheduled to commence in South Africa on September 4.

  • Basketmouth boycotts South African award

    Basketmouth boycotts South African award

    Superstar comedian, Bright Okpocha a.k.a Basketmouth has cancelled his appearance at the upcoming Comic Choice Awards in South Africa.

    TheNewsGuru(TNG) reports that since Monday, mobs have been looting shops and burning cars driven by foreigners, especially Nigerians in various parts of South Africa.

    He made the announcement via his Instagram page @basketmouth, he wrote, “I am not sure how and when we got here.

    “I won’t be attending the Comic Choice Awards this weekend in South Africa as scheduled.

    “It might sound like a whisper but together, our voices and the right actions will make a true difference and real change can begin. But for today, together we stand,” he said.

    As conversations around the attacks continue, more Nigerian celebrities are using their influence to speak against xenophobia.

     

  • BREAKING: Nigeria recalls Ambassador to South Africa

    Nigeria has recalled it Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Bala and also pulled out of World Economic Summit holding in Cape Town on Wednesday.

    A presidential source told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nigeria also demanded for full compensation for the loss of life and property of Nigerians affected by the xenophobic attack.

  • Xenophobia: Tiwa Savage cancels upcoming show in South Africa

    Nigerian songstress, Tiwa Savage has cancelled her upcoming show scheduled to hold in Johannesburg South Africa on the 21st of September.

    Tiwa Savage’s decision was triggered by Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa being the target of attacks since last week when a taxi driver was killed by an alleged drug peddler from Tanzania in Pretoria. Foreign-owned businesses have been looted and burnt in different parts of the country.

    The singer made this known via her verified Twitter account:” I refuse to watch the barbaric butchering of my people in SA. This is SICK. For this reason I will NOT be performing at the upcoming DSTV delicious Festival in Johannesburg on the 21st of September. My prayers are with all the victims and families affected by this”

     

    Her tweet has sparked diverse reactions with many Nigerians supporting her stand.

    In one of the numerous replies, a certain South African Twitter user wrote:” No one has butchered your people but it’s fine. Thanks for taking a stand”.

     

    Tiwa Savage replied him saying:” Killing any one that is African are my people whether they are Nigerians or not”.

     

  • Attacks on Shoprite, other South African owned businesses met stiff resistance

    Attacks on Shoprite, other South African owned businesses met stiff resistance

    The Lagos State Police Command has reacted to the attempted attacks on Shoprite and other South African businesses in different parts of the state.

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  • Xenophobic attacks: Why Nigeria won’t engage in reprisals against South Africans – FG

    The Federal Government has assured Nigeria will not be engaged in reprisal attacks over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

    The fatal attacks on Nigerians have been on the increase in the past two days.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, spoke with State House correspondents after leading outgoing Ukraine and Sri Lanka ambassadors to Nigeria to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said that the government is also considering making compensations to the victims of the attack.

    According to him, the Federal Government was also considering sending security agencies to South Africa to work closely with the South African police force over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

    He said: “Well, we have registered our protest to the Government of South Africa.

    “More importantly, we put forward to them the things we think will make a big difference as regards compensation.”

    Asked if Nigeria will be involved in reprisals attacks, he said “No, we don’t believe that two wrongs make a right.

    “In terms of revenge attacks, South African Government has assured us that they are doing everything possible to address the situation.

    “That they are equally exasperated by the whole event, so we believe that with that goodwill, we will be able to work together with them to put in place peace mechanism that we feel will make a difference.”

    On the key issues to be discussed by the Special envoy to South Africa, he said: “Well, as I have said it, it’s going to be two issues -first of all is the compensation payment, then what security mechanism to put in place to ensure that this kinds of attacks do not occur.

    “So we need to have a viable mechanism in place. And as I said, one of the possibilities that we have proposed is to have some Nigerian security operatives working with South African police force and attached to Nigerian High Commission.

    “We believe that will be very important process to address this kind of thing and to preempt this kind of attack. Possibly for them to be also embedded within the police force of South Africa.”

  • Don’t wait to be killed, monarch advises Nigerians in S/Africa

    The Olowu of Owu Kuta kingdom in Osun, Oba Hammed Makama, has told Nigerians in South Africa to return home immediately, rather than waiting to be killed in xenophobic attacks.

    The traditional ruler gave the advice in a statement given to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

    He said it was regrettable that in spite of Nigeria’s show of brotherliness and support to South Africa during the apartheid era, the same gesture had not been reciprocated toward Nigerians living in that country.

    “It is unbelievable that a country we stood behind like Rock of Gibraltar and donated $3 million of our hard earned resources to fight apartheid could turn around and treat us with disdain and unwarranted attacks and killings like we are witnessing now.

    “That a country that enjoys tremendous support and has multi-billion investments such a DSTV, MTN, just to mention a few in Nigeria could be killing our people leaves much to be desired.”

    He said the pre-meditated attacks were fuelled by inciting statements of some top South African politicians against Nigerians.

    Lamenting that the killings had continued unabated, he called on well-meaning Nigerians and influential groups such as Ohaneze Ndigbo, Afenifere and the labour unions to rise up and speak out against the orgy of violence on Nigerians.

    The monarch also appealed to the Federal Government to step up efforts to stop the attacks to avert reprisals, which he said, might lead to serious diplomatic row between the two countries.

  • Your silence over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians worrisome, APC tells ANC

    Your silence over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians worrisome, APC tells ANC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has lashed out at its counterpart in South Africa, the Africa National Congress (ANC) over its prolonged silence on the attack on Nigerians in South Africa, saying it was too early for them to forget the sacrifices of Nigerians in the fight against apartheid.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said in a statement in Abuja that South African leaders cannot exonerate themselves from what the APC described as cowardly act by south African youths in constantly attacking Nigerians and their businesses in that country.

    “After what appeared to be a break, South African youths again attacked Nigerians and their businesses in that country on Monday and the APC is saying Nigeria and Nigerians does not deserve such treatment from South Africans.

    The statement reads “the All Progressives Congress (APC) strongly condemns the recent South African xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, particularly on Nigerians, their property and businesses.

    “As a party, we are deeply saddened by these unwarranted attacks. Nigeria deserves better from South Africa. It is too early for South Africans to forget their country’s history. Many of the key players in the struggle against apartheid are still alive and active in the country’s national affairs. We therefore cannot understand why there seems to be a conspiracy of silence on their part.

    “The barbaric attack on citizens of other countries points to a failure of leadership. South African leaders cannot exonerate themselves from this cowardly act. We call on the South African ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) to urgently step in. This is completely at variance with what ANC stood for. The ANC government can no longer pretend about this obvious contradiction.

    “The violence being meted to Nigerians under ANC calls to question the very essence of the struggle against apartheid in which Nigeria was a frontline ally of South Africa. How can those who supported you and made huge sacrifices for your freedom become fair games to be murdered in cold blood?

    “Perhaps there is a disconnect between the younger and older generations of South Africa. The older generation cannot sit back while the uninformed youths and some South African public officials in their quest for inordinate populism destroy what we collectively achieved over several decades of sacrifice and brotherliness.

    “Today, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians. This is one of the first steps in this government’s proactive response to this unfortunate incident. We assure Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would continue to take decisive measures. The safety of Nigerians – home and abroad – is non-negotiable to the APC administration.”

  • BREAKING: FG summons South African High Commissioner over xenophobic attacks

    BREAKING: FG summons South African High Commissioner over xenophobic attacks

    Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

    A meeting has been scheduled to hold between the duo by 11am on Tuesday.

    A senior official of the ministry, Kimiebi Ebenfa, confirmed the development in a WhatsApp message.

    It reads: “I am directed to inform you that the Minister of Foreign Affairs has summoned the High Commissioner of South Africa for a meeting this morning by 11. The meeting was confirmed a few minutes ago.”

    Onyema on Monday said the Federal Government would take “definitive measures” following the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

    He described the attackers as mindless criminals, noting that the police intervention was ineffective.

    On his verified Twitter handle, the Minister said: “Received sickening and depressing news of continued burning and looting of Nigerian shops and premises in #SouthAfrica by mindless criminals with ineffective police protection. Enough is enough. We will take definitive measures.”

    Speculations that the alleged killer was a Nigerian sparked protests, looting and burning of foreign-owned businesses.

    The police had struggled to bring the attacks under control.