Xenophobic: Nigeria Shuns World Economic Forum in South Africa
Nigeria Wednesday said it will not participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) being hosted by South Africa following the attacks on Nigerians living in that country.
Following the decision, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo who was billed to lead the delegation has already travelled to Ghana for another programme.
Nigeria has also recalled its High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Bala as a result of the attacks in which their businesses were either destroyed or looted.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, told newsmen that the federal government had after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari had decided to withdraw from the Forum.
Onyeama however said no Nigeria died as a result of the attacks, adding that what was happening is that some businesses belonging to Nigerians have been looted and property destroyed.
He condemned the idea of reprisal attacks, adding that it was wrong for Nigerians to be engaged in what is being condemned in South Africa.
“We have made it clear that what has happened in South Africa is totally unacceptable. We will not accept it and as I said earlier, enough is enough and we are not going to come back to this. We are going to address it once and for all. So, this is the position of government that we are going to draw a red line here. Whatever measures that need to be taken to ensure the safety of Nigerians in South Africa, we will take.
“We have been in touch with the South African government at the very highest level with the President of South Africa as to what we want to achieve. The special envoy has very clear directives about the commitment and the guarantees that we expect from the South African government.
“Of course, a lot of things have been circulating on social media which have not helped matters. Some of them have really distorted the situation and because of that have impacted in our response.
“So, number one is that the information we have from the High Commission, from the Consul General in South Africa, is that no Nigerian life has been lost during this crisis. And I think that is very important because on social media, there is a lot of stories going around of Nigerians being killed, jumping off buildings and being burnt. This is not the case. What we know is that premises, shops of Nigerians have been looted and property destroyed”.
About Post Author
