Nigeria warns South Africa over xenophobic attacks, prioritizing the evacuation of its citizens amidst rising tensions.
The Federal Government has drawn a hard line with South Africa. This follows a disturbing wave of harassment, humiliation, and extrajudicial killings targeting Nigerians living in the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the government's position very clear on Thursday, May 8.
She held a phone conversation with her South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, to address the escalating crisis.
The discussion was triggered by a fresh surge of anti-foreigner sentiment. A massive anti-migrant protest recently took place in Durban on May 6, leaving many Nigerian residents on edge.
Ojukwu stated firmly that Nigeria will not just sit back and watch its people suffer. She stressed that the top priority right now is the safe evacuation of any Nigerian who wants to return home.
Beyond getting citizens out of harm's way, Nigeria is demanding justice. The minister formally urged South African authorities to ensure that the killers of Nigerians are arrested and held accountable under the law.
The Durban protest ultimately did not turn violent, largely due to a heavy presence of security forces. However, the fear in the community was palpable.
The Nigerian mission in the country had to advise citizens to shut down their shops and stay indoors for their own safety.
Ojukwu did not mince words about the dangerous rhetoric fueling these attacks. She strongly condemned the violent language used by anti-foreigner political groups in South Africa.
She warned that this hostility does not just endanger Nigerians and other foreign nationals. It also poses a serious risk to South African businesses and interests operating in Nigeria.
Despite the extreme provocation, the minister noted that Nigerians have shown impressive restraint.
She commended the community for their patience and calm response to the ongoing crisis.
During her talk with Lamola, Ojukwu also challenged the way these attacks are described. She questioned whether "Afriphobia" is a more accurate term than "xenophobia," since black foreigners from other African nations are the primary targets.
Back home, President Bola Tinubu is taking immediate action to protect citizens. He has directed all Nigerian missions in South Africa to quickly set up a crisis notification unit. This will allow distressed citizens to easily reach out for help.
For now, the government is advising Nigerians in South Africa who feel threatened to immediately contact local security authorities.
The situation remains tense, but Nigeria is making it clear that the safety of its people comes first.
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