Xenophobic Attacks: Buhari Dispatches Envoy, Senator Lawan Warns Enough is Enough

Xenophobic Attacks: Senate President Warns South Africa, Enough
is Enough
I note with serious concern the worsening Xenophobic attacks on
foreign nationals in South Africa in which Nigerians have been
major victims.

Nigeria has had enough of its citizens being targets of these
attacks and will no longer tolerate hate crimes in any form against
its citizens who are doing legitimate businesses in that
country.

Xenophobic violence is most condemnable anywhere; more so in
South Africa, a country whose citizens benefitted from the
unwavered support and solidarity of Africans and freedom lovers
across the world in their historic struggle against apartheid.

More disturbing, however, is that these attacks indicate the
neglect of educating the younger generations on the sacrifices that
Africans proudly made towards expunging the scourges of colonialism
and apartheid from their continent.

The enormous contributions of Nigeria to this historic struggle
is underscored by its recognition as a frontline state in the
prolonged confrontation against the powerful racist regime that had
held generations of Southern Africans in bondage and subhuman
conditions.

This recognition is in spite of the fact that Nigeria does not
share geographical borders with the subregion and was far removed
from the direct consequences of apartheid.

The liberation of South Africa was rightly celebrated across the
continent and the Black world as the final emancipation of Africans
from colonialism and apartheid.

It is therefore, an unacceptable irony that a section of South
Africans would so soon, after now, choose other Africans in their
country as the targets of mindless violent attacks over
frustrations for which the innocent victims have no control.

It would be recalled that I had on July 15, this year, met with
the South African High Commissioner, Bobby Moroe, in Abuja over the
same issue.

At the meeting, I had said: “The South African Government must
as a matter of urgency do whatever it takes to protect the lives
and property of Nigerians living there, just as the Nigerian
Government remain committed to the safety of South Africans
residing here and their investments.

“I believe we have faced enough, we will no longer take it
anymore. The South African parliament must act fast to put a stop
to this menace.”

I acknowledge the efforts the Federal Government is making to
register the indignation of Nigerians on the cruel treatment of
their compatriots in South Africa and to force an end to it.

As part of the efforts on Tuesday, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, summoned the South African High
Commissioner to Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari has also dispatched a special envoy
to meet with the South African authorities, in addition to
scheduling a presidential visit to South Africa for discussions
with the government of that country on how to end the attacks and
redress the current situation.

Every step necessary must be taken in protecting law-abiding
foreigners, including Nigerians, and their businesses from hate
crimes in South Africa.

It is noteworthy that South Africans and their businesses are
prospering from the clement environment that Nigeria offers to all
without discrimination. We demand no less from them.

The Senate is closely observing the situation and urges the
Federal Government of Nigeria to accept nothing but the immediate
cessation of hostility to Nigerians living in South Africa.

Signed:

Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan
President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Tuesday, 3rd September, 2019