In a belated reaction, Nigeria has pulled out of the Economic forum scheduled to take place in South Africa as a reaction to the xenophobia going on in the former Apartheid enclave. Besides, it has announced the recall of the Nigerian high Commissioner to South Africa, Kabiru Bala, according to Agency reports.
This was after a prolonged closed door meeting between Vice President Osinbajo, Chief of Staff Aba Kyari and President Buhari in Aso rock Wednesday to discuss the xenophobic crisis, this magazine can now report.
Government has faced a barrage of criticisms for not taking action when it matters, and for treating the xenophobic problems with diplomatic levity, a situation that resulted in some miscreants taking the laws into their hands to attack perceived South African interests in Nigeria.
Rwanda, Malawi and democratic republic of Congo were swift in pulling out of the World Economic Forum while Nigeria was toying with sending Nigerian Police to South Africa and waiting till next month for a meeting of Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Cyril Ramaphosa. But it took a lot of attacks and persuasions for the Minister of foreign affairs, Geofry Onyeama to summon the South African envoy.
Buhari said he is sending an envoy to South Africa to meet with the government to asses the situation.
The criticism were strong on the slow pace of reaction and the presidency , in apparent reluctance, acquiesced to the demands from critics, particularly from the social media.
Angry voices from the National Assembly, including former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, had asked for the severance of diplomatic relations with South Africa.
Musiliudeen Akinremi, another lawmaker, asked for more stringent sanctions against the country. Presidency, however, is asking for compensations which has not been quantified.
it will be recalled that there were reports of the Nigerian high commission in South Africa shut their doors against Nigerians facing xenophobic attacks. But with increased criticisms, they sent a press release asking the victims to come to the embassy to report.
Details of the diplomatic discussions are yet to be made public.
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