Condemnations Trail S’Africa’s Xenophobic Attacks

Vice President Namadi Sambo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Abubakar Kachalla and Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Benjamin Dikki, during the National Council on Privatisation meeting in Abuja yesterday. Photo: NAN

The African Union (AU) yesterday in Addis Ababa, described the South Africa xenophobic attacks on foreigners as unacceptable and called for an immediate halt.
the Chairperson, AU Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma,  said in a statement that “whatever the challenges we may be facing, no circumstances justify attacks on people whether foreigners or locals.”
The attacks had escalated with foreign-owned shops being looted and torched while some foreigners have been burnt alive and others brutally assaulted.
She welcomed current efforts by the South African government to engage those affected as well as the deployment of more police officers to provide protection and keep law and order.
The AU chief decried the incident as particularly unfortunate as the continent was approaching the celebration of the African Freedom Day on May 25.
”On 25 May we remember the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, which played such a critical role in mobilising international solidarity to end apartheid.
“The challenges faced by South Africa—poverty and unemployment, are challenges faced by all countries on the continent.
“We must work together to address them and build a better future for all Africans, she said.
Meanwhile, the South African government has said yesterday in Abuja that it was working had to stop xenophobic attacks and forestall future occurrence.
The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Mguni Lulu, this during an interview with newsmen.
Lulu said the government of South Africa condemned acts of violence, adding that it was engaging leaders at all levels to address the challenges that led to such attacks.
“Most of these problems occur in areas that are very poor and where there is a high level of unemployment and scarce resources.
“We have tried many measures to educate our people because these problems can be very complicated.
“We had structures like committees set up in those areas where people from time to time discuss issues that needed to be addressed; we also tried political education”, he said.
Lulu said xenophobia was not in part of South African government’s policy, adding that “it is in our position to condemn any violation of people’s rights,” he said.
The envoy encouraged foreigners living in South Africa not to be deterred by the acts of violence against them and assured that government was working out modalities to address the problem.
“We will not view these problems as our problems but we will approach sister countries to share experiences so that we can address underlying challenges that lead to such acts.
“We are using the law as an approach and also religious and political leaders and we also call on Nigeria to share experiences with us to know how to deal with this problem.
“We believe in developmental peace building and we encourage people to visit South Africa,” he said.
Lulu said South African government sympathised with families who were affected by recent attacks.