Xenophobia: FG Summons South African Envoy Over Attacks

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro, yesterday, summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Lulu Mnguni “to register Nigeria’s protest over the ongoing xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans in South Africa.”

“During the meeting with the envoy, Ambassador Obanikoro condemned the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, expressing concern on the fate of Nigerians and other nationals, who are migrants in the country,” a statement from the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Abuja yesterday said.

“South Africa needed 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 also called on the South African authorities to compensate the victims of these attacks, stressing that since South Africa was a major player in the continent, it should have its nationals live in peace in other countries.

In his reaction, Mnguni informed Obanikoro that the South African government was doing everything possible to address the attacks and prosecute those behind it.

He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the manner it had handled the crisis so far.