“Recall our high commissioner in South Africa” -Agbakoba

Founding Partner, Olisa Agbakoba Legal, and Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN has strongly condemned the unwarranted and unprovoked attack on Nigerians in South Africa.

According to him, the South African Government must know that xenophobic behaviour of its people was not acceptable to Nigerians and would possibly have the gravest consequences for Nigerian-South African relations, unless they stop their inexcusable behaviour.

“There can be no excuse for this outrageous behaviour especially in the context of good neighbourly relations between South Africa and Nigeria,” he said.

The Rights Advocate reiterated the need for the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa to be recalled, stating that Foreign Minister should summon the South African Commissioner in Nigeria to convey our disappointment at the behaviour of some South Africans.

“Nigeria stood by their South African brothers and sisters at their greatest hour of need during the apartheid years. This is no way to repay us. It is shocking that President Zuma of South Africa has not made a clear statement. I feel the response of the Nigerian Government has been very weak,” Agbakoba said.

Between May 2000 and March 2008 at least 67 people died in what were identified as xenophobic attacks In South Africa. In May 2008, 42 foreigners in South Africa were also killed in yet another wave of xenophobia-motivated attacks. Current attacks against foreigners have prompted a number of foreign governments to begin repatriating their citizens.