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FG Considers Response to South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians
Bianca Ojukwu says Nigeria is unhappy with the treatment of its citizens in South Africa and may consider reciprocal measures as evacuations continue.
The Federal Government has indicated that retaliatory measures against South Africa are being considered following recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians that have triggered a voluntary repatriation exercise.
At the same time, authorities announced that evacuation flights for Nigerians seeking to return home have been postponed as screening and documentation procedures continue with South African officials.
More than 1,000 Nigerians reportedly registered for the repatriation programme. The screening process, which commenced last Thursday, was expected to conclude on Saturday before the first flight was scheduled to depart on Monday.
Addressing journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said preparations for the evacuation exercise were nearing completion.
When asked whether Nigeria could respond by limiting privileges currently enjoyed by South Africans in the country, the minister said such measures were still being evaluated.
“Well, that is a situation that we are considering. This is up to our legislature. This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government.
“But it’s not off the table.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that Nigeria remains dissatisfied with the continued attacks on its citizens, noting that the country played a major role in supporting South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.
“Nigeria is not happy because Nigeria has sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence.
“Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds, committed resources to aid South Africa. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students. My own generation carried placards; we demonstrated in front of South African assets.
“Sometimes we even got arrested for doing this.”
She added that many Nigerians feel betrayed by the treatment they receive despite the historical ties between both nations.
“Nigeria is a serious frontline state, and Nigerians are not happy about how they have been treated. They are not asking other migrants to leave; they’re only asking black migrants to leave.”
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