The special envoys will deliver a message from Ramaphosa regarding the incidents of violence that recently erupted in some parts of South Africa, which have manifested in attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of property, presidential spokesperson, Khusela Diko, said.

The envoys will reassure fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity, Diko said.

They will also reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law.

The envoys will visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, according to Diko.

They will brief governments in the identified African countries about the steps that the South African government is taking to bring a stop to the attacks and to hold the perpetrators to account.

South Africa has been hit by a new spate of violence for the past few weeks.

At least 12 people, including 10 South Africans and two foreigners, have been killed.

South Africa is host to some 274,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from African countries, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Xenophobia-related attacks are common in South Africa, where foreigners are blamed for taking up employment that should have been taken by locals.

Source: Xinhua/NAN

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Subsequently, he has directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to continue to engage with appropriate authorities on the concrete measures the South African government should take to bring an end to the attacks.

This is as the president has also given a directive for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians willing to return home.

In the statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Ramaphosa of South Africa was said to have, in his meeting with the envoy, reaffirmed his stand against criminality and expressed his commitment to do everything possible to protect the rights of every Nigerian and other foreign nationals in the country.

The Special Envoy was said to have also interfaced with his South African counterpart, where they reviewed the situation of foreign emigrants in general and Nigerians in particular.

They agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the root causes of the recurring attacks on Nigerians and their property.

The statement reads in full:

XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS: PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES REPORT OF SPECIAL ENVOY TO SOUTH AFRICA, DIRECTS ON NEXT STEPS

In the wake of the xenophobic attacks by South Africans against other Africans including Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari sent Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (DGNIA) as his Special Envoy to South Africa, to convey a Special Message to his counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Special Envoy, who was in Pretoria from Thursday, 5th to Saturday, 7th September 2019 conveyed:

*The deep concern of President Buhari and Nigerians about intermittent violence against Nigerians and their property/business interests in South Africa.

*President Buhari stressed the need for South African Government to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.

*President Buhari is worried that the recurring issue of xenophobia could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries on the continent, if nothing is done to stop it.

*The Special Envoy conveyed the assurance of President Buhari that the Nigerian Government is ready and willing to collaborate with the South African Government to find a lasting solution to the involvement of few Nigerians in criminal activities, and to protect the lives and property of the larger groups of other law abiding Nigerians and indeed Africans in general, against all forms of attacks including xenophobia.

*President Buhari further assured that the Nigerian Government will guarantee the safety of lives, property and business interests of South Africans in Nigeria.

*On his part, President Ramaphosa agreed that the violence was most disconcerting and embarrassing, adding that his government completely rejects such acts, which undermine not only the country’s image but also its relations with brotherly African countries.

*President Ramaphosa reaffirmed his stand against criminality and committed to do everything possible to protect the rights of every Nigerian and other foreign nationals in the country.

*The Special Envoy also interfaced with his South African counterpart, where they reviewed the situation of foreign emigrants in general and Nigerians in particular. They agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the root causes of the recurring attacks on Nigerians and their property.

*President Buhari has taken note of the report and instructed the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs to continue to engage with appropriate Authorities on the concrete measure the South African Government is expected to take.

*President Buhari has also given instruction for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians who are willing to return home.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

September 9, 2019

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

The president who noted with deep concern, reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019 also instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria and get a brief on the situation.

He is also to express Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens; and assurance of the safety of their lives and property.

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