Just In: FG Speaks On Breaking Diplomatic Ties With S/Africa Over Xenophobia

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has dismissed insinuations that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will severe diplomatic ties with South Africa over the recent xenophobic attacks.

The Minister made this known on Friday while speaking before the Senate Committee on Diaspora.

According to Onyeama, any attempt by the country to cut diplomatic relationship with South Africa would greatly affect Nigerians and their huge investment there.

He stated that the report by the special envoys dispatched to Johannesburg by Buhari would guide the president on a decision to take.

Onyeama said, “We are not thinking to the stage of diplomatic ties called off. There are various options. We are not by any means at a stage where we are breaking diplomatic relations with South Africa.

“We just met with the senate committee to review the situation with regards to South Africa and we looked at all the possible options we analysed the possible causes and agreed on a road map going forward.

“Part of that road map on the executive side Mr President has dispatched a special envoy to South Africa who would be holding discussion with the South African government at the very highest level.

“He (leader of the envoy) should be back tomorrow (Saturday), that will now give the government the basis for further action. In the meantime, if the government is very much on top of the situation.

“We know for a fact that no Nigerian life has been lost so we are extremely concerned now to ensure that there will be adequate compensation for property that has been damaged.

“We know that a Nigerian Airline is putting a plane at the disposal of most Nigerians that wish to take the opportunity to leave South Africa, this is purely voluntary, but we are particularly determined to particularly make sure that this crisis does not re-occur.

“It has been happening for far too long, it is becoming almost endemic, so with the distinguished senators, are helping with some of the options that we may have to ensure that this will be the last time we will ever be meeting to talk about Nigerians attacked in South Africa and to take definitive measures.

“To start doing that, we want to have all the facts available and then we will take the necessary measures.”

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