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Nigerian govt summons South African high commissioner over xenophobic attacks
According to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Government has summoned South Africa’s acting high commissioner in Abuja for talks concerning attacks on Nigerians in the country.
South Africa has been a destination for both legal and undocumented African workers, but with an unemployment rate of over 30 percent, there have been consistent protests, mostly violent, born out of xenophobia and anti-migration.
According to Nigeria’s foreign ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa, the South African top diplomat in Abuja would meet with Nigerian officials on Monday for discussions bordering on “documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses.”
The Ghanaian foreign ministry had about a week ago summoned South Africa’s acting high commissioner in Accra over several xenophobic incidents against Ghanaians.
The foreign ministry had warned of “escalating tensions, with foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, being advised to remain indoors for their safety”.
More than three million foreigners live in South Africa, which is about 5 percent of the population, according to the statistics agency.
South Africa’s acting police minister, Firoz Cachalia, in a statement, condemned the violence against immigrants and foreign nationals, calling it unlawful and a violation of the country’s constitutional values of dignity and equality.
“Acts of xenophobia, violence, looting, or intimidation will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.
Cachalia further noted that the police have “been instructed to act decisively and without hesitation in addressing these incidents.”
