Buhari Dispatches Special Envoy to South Africa Over Xenophobic Attack

  • Buhari expresses displeasure over the attack.

President Muhammadu Buhari has instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Monroe and get a brief on reported attacks on Nigerians living in the country.

The presidency in a statement signed by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said the president who is sad about the situation expressed Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens; and assurance of the safety of their lives and property.

According to the statement, the president has noted with deep concern, reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019, and has also despatched a Special Envoy to convey to President Cyril Ramaphosa his concerns and also interact with his South African counterpart on the situation.

READ: Nigeria Will Take Definite Action Against Xenophobia – Onyeama

The Special Envoy is expected to arrive in Pretoria latest Thursday, September 5, 2019.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Monroe has said the attack is not xenophobic.

Speaking during a press briefing with Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry headed by Geoffery Onyeama in Abuja on Tuesday, Monroe, who denied the reports described it as  ‘sporadic acts of violence’ adding that businesses belonging to other South Africans were also affected in the violence.

READ: ‘You Are Xenophobic Arch-racist’, Femi Fani-Kayode Blasts South Africa Minister Over Comment on Xenophobia

Onyeama who also expressed displeasure over the attack described the perpetrators as ‘mindless criminal’ operating as a result of ‘ineffective policing’.

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