Xenophobia: Ekweremadu Tells FG To Suspend Diplomatic Ties With South Africa

Senator Ike Ekweremadu has condemned the attack on Nigerians in South Africa, calling on the federal government to cut ties with the South African government.

Sources had previously reported that properties worth millions of naira, belonging to Nigerians in South Africa, were set ablaze with many others looted by South Africans.

President of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Comrade Adetola Olubajo, said the attacks began on Sunday morning in Jeppestown area of Johannesburg.

Mr Olubajo said in a statement that the mob “looted several shops owned by foreign nationals”, adding that “the police later dispersed the mob and made some arrest.”

Reacting in a statement sighted by Igbere on his Facebook page, the former Deputy Senate President described the attack as barbaric and an act of ingratitude on the part of South Africans.

He berated the South African government for not taking a decisive step to end the attacks, which he said has led to loss of lives and properties of fellow Africans, especially Nigerians.

He said the actions of the South Africans defies the African brotherhood, while recalling the support Nigeria rendered the country during the apartheid era and independence struggle.

He, therefore, called on the African Union (AU) to immediately sanction South Africa, while calling on the federal government to cut diplomatic ties with the country until the safety of Nigerians were guaranteed.

Full Statement:-

“I find the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa very un-African, barbaric, and unparalleled acts of ingratitude. It is quite disturbing that the Government of South Africa has not taken decisive steps to end these attacks, which have led to wanton loss of lives and properties of fellow Africans, especially Nigerians.

“The attacks defy and desecrate everything African brotherhood stands for, especially for a country that gained freedom with the support, sweat, and sacrifice of fellow African nations among which Nigeria clearly stands out. The attacks have reached scary and desperate degrees and call for desperate actions on the part of Nigeria, other African nations, and the African Union.

“It will therefore not be out of place for the Federal Government to suspend diplomatic relations with SA until full assurance of safety of Nigerians and their properties in South African are secured, adequate compensation paid for the damages, and the perpetrators also brought to book.

“The African Union mist eise up to the occasion now. The AU could be reduced to an empty shell if law abiding African nationals cannot find peace and safety in a fellow African nation like South African, but are instead savaged by people who should be their brother’s keeper.

“The AU should therefore summon an emergency session to sanction South Africa; and a suspend from the Union for unprovoked acts of hostilities against fellow Africans whose countries fought for the freedom they enjoy today will not be out of place.”

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