Nigerian President Buhari takes action after xenophobic attacks in South Africa

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a special envoy to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa following reports of a spate of xenophobic attacks in the country.

President Buhari expressed “deep concern” about the security of Nigerian citizens and their property in South Africa.

Taking to Twitter, Buhari said: “I am sending a Special Envoy to President Ramaphosa to share our deep concern about the security of Nigerian lives and property in South Africa, and to ensure that the South African Government is doing everything within its power in this regard.”

I am sending a Special Envoy to President Ramaphosa to share our deep concern about the security of Nigerian lives and property in South Africa, and to ensure that the South African Government is doing everything within its power in this regard.

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) September 3, 2019

The Head of State’s statement comes following a string of reported attacks against foreigners – among them Nigerian citizens – living in South Africa.

According to CNN, several shops and businesses were looted and burned down in riots that broke out in a neighborhood in Johannesburg on Sunday.

“The continuing attacks on Nigerian nationals and businesses in South Africa are unacceptable. Enough is enough. Nigeria will take definitive measures to ensure safety and protection of her citizens,” read a tweet by the Government of Nigeria’s official account.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has also since summoned the South African High Commissioner to the West African nation on the same.

President Buhari is now set to make a visit to South Africa in October.

FURTHER UPDATES:

1/ Minister of Foreign Affairs @GeoffreyOnyeama has summoned the SA High Commissioner to Nigeria.

2/ Next month President Buhari will Visit South Africa and meet with Pres @CyrilRamaphosa. Top on Agenda will be guaranteeing safety of ALL Nigerians in SA. https://t.co/RMoFkm0Bqz

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) September 3, 2019

South African President Ramaphosa earlier called for the arrest of those involved in the attacks against foreign-owned businesses in the country.

He said there was no justification for the attacks and warned that violence on foreign businesses could trigger xenophobic attacks against South Africans living abroad.

“The attacks on people who run businesses from foreign nationals is totally unacceptable,” said Ramaphosa.

“There can be no justification whatsoever about what people are having a grievance over that they should go out and attack people from other countries because when they do so here, they should also know that fellow South Africans will be attacked in other countries.”