Outrage on Tuesday greeted xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa with dignitaries and organisations including President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate and the House of Representatives, expressing their displeasure over the continued killing.
President Buhari specifically sent a special envoy to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, to express his profound worry about the “reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019.”
Likewise, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in consistence with Buhari’s order, summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, to express Nigeria’s displeasure over the continued killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
Attacks on Nigerians reckless, says Yemi Osinbajo
On his part, Osinbajo described the attacks as “reckless,” noting that the latest happenings “run against standards South African pioneers battled for.”
Osinbajo, while discussing with journalists in Kano on Tuesday, said, “It is unfortunate because Nigeria invested a great deal in the destruction and pulling down of apartheid. Besides, these acts of bigotry are entirely contrary to the very ideals that all the great South African leaders, including the present President fought for, and for which many gave their lives.”
FG summons SA High Commissioner
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, over the attacks.
A senior MFA official, Kimiebi Ebenfa, confirmed this in a WhatsApp message.
It read, “I am directed to inform you that the Minister of Foreign Affairs has summoned the High Commissioner of South Africa for a meeting.”
Rep asks FG to recall envoy, House to suspend recess over attacks
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is planning to suspend members’ ongoing two-month annual recess to reconvene to address the xenophobic attacks.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced on his verified Twitter handle, @femigbaja, on Tuesday, saying the lower chamber of the National Assembly might reconvene for a one-day session to address the attacks.
The House was to resume plenary on September 14.
The Speaker tweeted, “(I) Will be cutting short my trip to Tanzania for the 50th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference @CPA Secretariat and will be leaving today, for the leadership of the @HouseNGR to consider cutting short the recess and reconvening for one day to address the killing of Nigerians in SA.”
It was learnt that several members of the House mounted pressure on the leadership to take a decisive action on the attacks.
South Africa, African Union need to act fast, says Atiku
However, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday called on the South African government and the African Union to urgently address the ongoing xenophobic attacks on foreigners in the country.
He made this statement through his verified Twitter handle in a tweet, he personally signed.
He said, “Reported attacks against Nigerians in South Africa are unacceptable and stand condemned. Urgent steps need to be taken with the SA authorities and the African Union to bring an end to this ill wind that can only end up destroying the fabric of our African brotherhood. -AA”
Celebrities condemn attacks
Meanwhile, Nigerian celebrities including Toke Makinwa, Funke Akindele, Mo Abudu, among others, have condemned the attacks on Nigerians and other Africans.
The celebrities took to their social media platforms to implore the government to seek for a peaceful resolution to the issue.
Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, wrote, “Must violence be the solution to every problem? I woke up to horrific pictures and videos of our country men being attacked and killed. This has to stop o!”
Similarly, Mo Abudu, of EbonyLife TV wrote, “The xenophobic attacks happening in South Africa right now are complete and misplaced anger. We owe it to ourselves as Africans to unite. It’s the only way forward.”
MTN condemns xenophobic attacks
Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria has condemned attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, said the company was against all forms of violence and xenophobia against people.
“MTN Nigeria strongly condemns hate, prejudice and xenophobia and reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of all violence. We seek to connect people, bring people together and provide a platform for everyone’s voice to be heard. We are against all forms of bigotry and discrimination; they should have no place in society,” he added.
