Thread by @NigeriaGov

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

In the wake of the xenophobic attacks by South Africans against other Africans including Nigerians, President @MBuhari 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 @CyrilRamaphosa. The Special Envoy, who was in Pretoria from Thursday, 5th to Saturday, 7th September 2019 conveyed:

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

President @MBuhari stressed the need for @GovernmentZA to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.

President @MBuhari 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 @MBuhari that the Nigerian Government is ready and willing to collaborate with the @GovernmentZA 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 @MBuhari 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 @CyrilRamaphosa 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 @CyrilRamaphosa 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 SA counterpart, where they reviewed the situation of foreign emigrants in general & Nigerians in particular. They agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the root causes of recurring attacks on Nigerians & their property.

President @MBuhari 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 @GovernmentZA is expected to take.

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