Nigeria Goes Tough On South Africa, Recalls Ambassador

President Muhammadu Buhari has recalled Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Kabiru Bala as part of measures to tackle the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and in South Africa.  

This was the outcome of a strategic meeting which held between the president, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama on Wednesday.

A statement by president Buhari’s personal assistant on new media, Bashir Ahmad also revealed that Nigeria boycotted the World Economic Forum holding in Cape Town, South Africa.

Some of the other African countries that have pulled out of WEF are Rwanda, Malawi and DR Congo.

Similarly, the Ministry of Foreign affairs advised Nigerians against travelling to some areas in the country until the tension has been brought under control.

 ”Due to the tension created by the attacks, the Government of Nigeria wished to advice Nigerians to avoid travelling to high risk and volatile areas until the situation is brought under control,” the five paragraphed statement signed by Ferdinand Nwonye read in part.

There have been a resurgence of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in some cities in South Africa while shops have been looted and burnt.  

Although the South African government have denied the attacks were as a result of xenophobia, Nigerian government appear not to have bought the argument.