Nigerian govt asked to cut diplomatic ties with S/Africa over xenophobic attacks

The Nigerian Government has been asked to sever diplomatic ties with South Africa over unwarranted attacks on Nigerians in the country.

The immediate past deputy senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, made the call on Tuesday while condemning the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

Ekweremadu, a former Speaker of the Parliament of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament, while speaking with a journalist in Abuja, regretted that the government of South Africa had not wielded the big stick to end the attacks. He also described the acts as “un-African, barbaric, and unparalleled acts of ingratitude”.

He said, “I find the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa very un-African, barbaric, and unparalleled acts of ingratitude. It is quite disturbing that the Government of South Africa has not taken decisive steps to end these attacks, which have led to the wanton loss of lives and properties of fellow Africans, especially Nigerians.

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“The attacks defy and desecrate everything African brotherhood stands for, especially for a country that gained freedom with the support, sweat, and sacrifice of fellow African nations among which Nigeria stands out. The attacks have reached scary and desperate degrees and call for desperate actions on the part of Nigeria, other African nations, and the African Union.

“It will therefore not be out of place for the Federal Government to suspend diplomatic relations with SA until full assurance of the safety of Nigerians and their properties in South African are secured, adequate compensation paid for the damages, and the perpetrators also brought to book”. The lawmaker further called on the African Union, AU, to take drastic actions that would call South Africa to order, noting that “the African Union could be reduced to an empty shell if law-abiding African nationals cannot find peace and safety in a fellow African nation like South African, but are instead savaged by people who should be their brother’s keeper”.

“The AU should, therefore, summon an emergency session to sanction South Africa, and a suspension from the Union for unprovoked acts of hostilities against fellow Africans whose countries fought for the freedom they enjoy today will not be out of place”, Ekweremadu added.

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