Nigeria Calls On South Africa’s High Commissioner

8 years ago

Nigeria Calls On South Africa’s High Commissioner

The South African High Commissioner, Louis Mnguni, was summoned yesterday by Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Musiliu Obanikoro, demanding punishment for the culprits involved in the xenophobic attacks on foreigners and compensation to their victims.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday, Ambassador Obanikoro condemned the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, and expressed concern about the fate of Nigerians and, indeed, of other African immigrants in the country.

“South Africa needs to take concrete steps to quell the unrest and bring the culprits involved to book to act as a deterrent and prevent further violence,” he said.

Meanwhile, the South African high commissioner, in his response, explained that his government was doing everything possible to stop the attacks and prosecute culprits.

He also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government and people for the mature manner the crisis had been handled.

Since the attacks started last week, several Nigerians have lost their businesses and other belongings to fire set by locals.

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Obanikoro said that the Nigerian high commissioner, Martin Cobham, and other officials were taking stock of the damage done to Nigerians to ensure that adequate compensation is paid to them.

Senate Condemns Anti-Immigrant Attacks In South Africa

…..Urges FG to drag Zulu king to ICC
The Senate yesterday condemned the recent spate of xenophobic attacks on immigrants, particularly Nigerians, in South Africa

The Upper House also urged the federal government to file suit against the Zulu king in the International Criminal Court (ICC)

These are resolutions sequel to the motion sponsored by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) with 107 other senators, entitled ‘Rising Incidence of Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa.’

The Senate also issued sweeping summons to the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, to brief the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on the situation and measures being taken to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians in South Africa

The lawmakers also urged the federal government to pressurize the government of South Africa to bring the perpetrators of this evil act to justice and ensure adequate protection of Nigerians and their investments in that country, as well as compensate families who have lost persons and property as a result of these attacks
The Senate also urged the federal government to recall Nigeria’s high commissioner to South Africa, S.S Yusuf, to show the country’s displeasure over the attacks

Leading the debate, Senator Ndoma-Egba expressed worry at the wave of xenophobic attacks on African Immigrants by locals in parts of Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa, which has led to the death of many persons, massive looting and destruction of foreigners’
properties and forcing hundreds of migrants to relocate to police stations across the country.
He expressed concern that Nigerians living in South Africa had been seriously affected by this crisis as no fewer than 50 have been reportedly rendered homeless after being displaced by these attacks and about 300 others displaced near Johannesburg.

Senator Ndoma-Egba lamented that Nigerians living in South Africa who have always been targets of such attacks and other foreigners have maintained that immigrants could not really rely on police for protection because the police rather maltreat and extort money from them
Sen. Ita Enang (APC Akwa Ibom North East) in his remarks said that what was most painful is not the action or pain that was being inflicted, but the person that is inflicting the pain. He said that the PanAfrican Parliament should be immediately called to convene and discuss the issue.

He lamented that the cable television outfit, Multichoice, forces Nigerians to pay for channels monthly whether or not the channels were watched, a practice that does not happen anywhere else in other countries..

Hold South African govt responsible for safety of immigrants – NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the Republic of South Africa, saying the attacks lack any sane justifications.

The union, in a statement signed by its president, Ayuba Wabba, urged the government of the Republic of South Africa to take immediate steps that would immediately restore peace and harmony as the situation is capable of generating negative international reactions.

He said the fact that the immigrants left their countries to do legitimate businesses or engage in legitimate employment in South Africa is certainly not their fault, stressing that they should be seen as partners in the developmental strides of their host country.

He said, “The challenges of unemployment of South African citizens is not caused by the presence of the immigrants, and the South African government should develop policies that can generate employment for its citizens as quickly as possible as this will help promote peace and economic growth in favour of the country.

“There are South African businesses in other countries, especially in the originating countries of the immigrants. These businesses are vulnerable to severe danger if positive steps are not immediately taken.

“South Africa, like all independent African countries, is a member of the African Union which also has the capacity to exert strong intervention before the situation degenerates, as this could strain the cohesiveness of the AU and also subvert the spirit and purpose of its existence.”

The NLC described the killings as barbaric, irresponsible, archaic and fall short of the global decent standards expected of a country like South Africa. It also noted that South Africa was the highest beneficiary of international solidarity during the anti-apartheid struggles.

“The rest of the world should not be given the impression that those they supported have taken subterranean decision to attack citizens of their countries in return.

“We call on our counterpart, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU, to offer decisive interventions that ensure the protection of lives and properties as immigrant workers are covered by conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to which the labour centre is also affiliated, like the NLC. Injuries to migrant workers are injuries to all workers all over the world,” it declared

The NLC called on the federal government of Nigeria to take all necessary steps to ensure that every Nigeria living in South Africa are fully protected and that, should the attacks continue, they should be evacuated back home for rehabilitation and re-engagement.”