Xenophobia: FG may take Zulu King to ICC
..Summons Foreign Affairs Minister; says Nigeria must stand up for Africa, 350 Nigerians displaced
By Emma Ovuakporie, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Joseph Erunke & Chris Ochayi
The Senate, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to recall Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, following the wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
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It also hinted that the Federal Government would formally file a criminal case at the International Criminal Court, ICC, Hague, against the Zulu King, who was believed to have instigated the uprising through inciting comments.
The Federal Government also lodged a formal protest to the South African government, demanding compensation for victims of the attacks.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro, summoned South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Lulu Mnguni “to register Nigeria’s protest over the ongoing xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans in South Africa.”
A statement from the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Abuja yesterday said: “During the meeting with the envoy, Ambassador Obanikoro condemned the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, expressing concern on the fate of Nigerians and other nationals, who are migrants in the country.
“South Africa needed to take concrete steps to quell the unrest and bring the culprits involved to book to act as a deterrent and prevent further violence.”
He also called on the South African authorities to compensate the victims of these attacks, stressing that since South Africa was a major player in the continent, it should have its nationals live in peace in other countries.
South African envoy reacts
People take cover from a stun grenade and tear gas after a skirmish between locals and foreign nationals as thousands of people take part in the “peace march” against xenophobia in Durban, South Africa, on April 16, 2015. South African President Jacob Zuma on April 16 appealed for the end of attacks on immigrants as a wave of violence that has left at least six people dead threatened to spread across the country. In the past two weeks, shops and homes owned by Somalis, Ethiopians, Malawians and other immigrants in Durban and surrounding townships have been targeted, forcing families to flee to camps protected by armed guards. AFP PHOTO
Mnguni, according to the statement, informed Obanikoro that the South African government was doing everything possible to address the attacks and prosecute those behind it.
Mnguni expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the manner it had handled the crisis so far.
Soldiers were said to have been deployed overnight to tackle gangs hunting down and killing foreigners after about seven people had died in violence in the last few weeks. Yesterday, Police said 11 men were arrested in a raid in Johannesburg.
It also hinted that the Federal Government would formally file a criminal case at the International Criminal Court, ICC, Hague, against the Zulu King, who was believed to have instigated the uprising through inciting comments.
The Federal Government also lodged a formal protest to the South African government, demanding compensation for victims of the attacks.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro, summoned South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Lulu Mnguni “to register Nigeria’s protest over the ongoing xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans in South Africa.”
A statement from the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Abuja yesterday said: “During the meeting with the envoy, Ambassador Obanikoro condemned the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, expressing concern on the fate of Nigerians and other nationals, who are migrants in the country.
“South Africa needed to take concrete steps to quell the unrest and bring the culprits involved to book to act as a deterrent and prevent further violence.”
He also called on the South African authorities to compensate the victims of these attacks, stressing that since South Africa was a major player in the continent, it should have its nationals live in peace in other countries.
South African envoy reacts
People take cover from a stun grenade and tear gas after a skirmish between locals and foreign nationals as thousands of people take part in the “peace march” against xenophobia in Durban, South Africa, on April 16, 2015. South African President Jacob Zuma on April 16 appealed for the end of attacks on immigrants as a wave of violence that has left at least six people dead threatened to spread across the country. In the past two weeks, shops and homes owned by Somalis, Ethiopians, Malawians and other immigrants in Durban and surrounding townships have been targeted, forcing families to flee to camps protected by armed guards. AFP PHOTO
Mnguni, according to the statement, informed Obanikoro that the South African government was doing everything possible to address the attacks and prosecute those behind it.
Mnguni expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the manner it had handled the crisis so far.
Soldiers were said to have been deployed overnight to tackle gangs hunting down and killing foreigners after about seven people had died in violence in the last few weeks. Yesterday, Police said 11 men were arrested in a raid in Johannesburg.
She said apart from putting an end to the provocative and barbaric attacks on immigrants, the South African government should compensate survivors.
She expressed regrets that the attacks had undermined the unity, which African Union had fought for over the years.
The High Commissioner apologized for what had happened.
He said: “The issue of compensation has been raised on a number of fora, but threat to life still remains our concern for now. We want to secure life and livelihood and stabilize the situation.”
He said plans were in place to include in South African schools syllabuses the roles of African countries in anti-Apartheid fight, so as to change the orientation of post-Apartheid generation.
She expressed regrets that the attacks had undermined the unity, which African Union had fought for over the years.
The High Commissioner apologized for what had happened.
He said: “The issue of compensation has been raised on a number of fora, but threat to life still remains our concern for now. We want to secure life and livelihood and stabilize the situation.”
He said plans were in place to include in South African schools syllabuses the roles of African countries in anti-Apartheid fight, so as to change the orientation of post-Apartheid generation.
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