South African government has released a statement expressing their
displeasure over Nigerian government's decision to recall her envoys
following Xenophobic attacks in SA. In a statement released by the South
African government's Department of International Relations and
Co-operations, SA government described the decision as an unfortunate
and regrettable step, adding that only Nigeria has taken such a decision
since the xenophobic attacks began.
According to the statement,
the South African government did not blame Nigeria when 84 of her
citizens died in the Synagogue Church of All Nations building collapse
some months back. (how is it the same thing?) Find the statement
released after the cut...
The South African Government takes note that the outgoing Government of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria has recalled its Acting High
Commissioner to South Africa. A government resorts to such an
extraordinary diplomatic step to express outrage at actions or Behavior
of another government.
We are not sure which actions or behavior of the South African
Government the Nigerian Government is protesting. It is only Nigeria
that has taken this unfortunate and regrettable step. If this action is
based on the incidents of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of
our country, it would be curious for a sisterly country to want to
exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has just returned from Indonesia to
attend the Africa-Asia Summit and the 60th Anniversary of the historic
Bandung Conference. At no stage did the Nigerian delegation present at
that gathering, expressed its intention to formally raise the issue with
the South African side.
South Africa remains committed to a strong bond of friendship and
bilateral relations with Nigeria. It is for this reason that when 84 of
our citizens perished on Nigerian soil, we did not blame the Nigerian
Government for the deaths and more than nine (9) months delay in the
repatriation of the bodies of our fallen compatriots, or for the fact
that when these bodies eventually returned, they were in a state that
they could not be touched or viewed as required by our burial practice.
We will raise our concerns through diplomatic channels with the new
administration that will assume office in Nigeria next month.
The South African Government, as well as all political parties,
religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, business,
sports fraternities, including artists, musicians and ordinary people
of South Africa, have been decisive and unequivocal in condemning and
rejecting the attacks on foreign nationals.
Through our interventions, relative calm and order has been restored. We
are encouraged by the solidarity our country continues to receive from
other African countries and the international community. We shall also
continue to support and not blame the Nigerian Government as it battles
to deal with Boko Haram that continues to kill many innocent civilians.
We hope that the more than 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram will
someday be reunited with their families.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale, Pretoria
No comments :
Post a Comment