• Friday, March 29, 2024
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BusinessDay

Group condemns attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, berates AU over silence

Xenophobia

The Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN) has condemned the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

In a release to the media at the weekend, after an emergency meeting at the instance of the president, Ayo Oyoze Baje, the group expressed dismay over the attack, stressing that the attacks were premeditated.

Recall that acts of violence such as; burning of shops owned by Nigerians, maiming and killings have become a recurring decimal over the years.

For instance, in February 2017, five buildings and a mechanic garage with 28 cars owned by Nigerians in Pretoria were razed to ashes.

A Nigerian pastor was seriously wounded. Ever since, some prominent Nigerians have fallen victims to such mindless attacks.

The group further, berated the Federal Government for not taking any proactive measure to protect the lives of Nigerians home and abroad, while frowning at the African Union for its continuous silence over the attacks on Africans in South Africa.

The group urged the South African government to take measures to curb the attacks, while condemning reprisal attacks on South African businesses in Nigeria.

According to the statement, “The conspiracy of silence on the part of the host government runs against the AU Charter and it reflects ingratitude from a nation that Nigeria spearheaded its freedom from the iron grip of the infamous Apartheid regime.”

On the way forward, members of the Guild admonish the South African government to take a critical look at the root causes of the violence as provided by the Human Sciences Research Council and tackle them head on.

It condemns “the destruction of valuable property of companies such as MTN and Shoprite, by angry Nigerians in some cities across the country,” urging the Federal Government to be more decisive and proactive in taking actions to protect the lives of Nigerians not only in South Africa but here in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

 

Iniobong Iwok