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Tag: Cyril Ramaphosa

  • And big Don downs “em all

    And big Don downs “em all

    Perhaps the title of this piece should have been, Unquiet Flows the Don. Readers might have heard of the captivating novel, And Quiet Flows the Don, a stirring epic about life and love in early Soviet Russia. The Don is a mighty river in Russia which almost centrally lacerates the region. This time around, another Don seems to have erupted in North America, flowing unquietly and uneasily through the precincts of the American White House sweeping and uprooting everything along its path. The Don is not a river but the big Chief, the Capo di tutti capi of all America, the new Taoiseach of the United Tribes of North America and law giver plenipotentiary to all habitants of the land therein. The Don is a great hulk of a person who reminds one of a massive anaconda lurking in the deep Amazon River basin. It is not a creature to be toyed with at all. Thrice within a spate of two months, one has seen it take down and gobble up three presidential games from Africa, Middle East and Europe and perhaps the most famous educational institution on earth. How any digestive system could take in such a menu of disparate metabolic imperatives remains a miracle.

      Last month as Volodymyr Zelensky, the feisty Ukrainian president, strolled jauntily through the lawn of the White House for a scheduled briefing, one had a premonition that one was about to witness a high-tech presidential lynching followed by ritual burial. First, Zelensky committed the sartorial error of appearing in military fatigues. This was like triggering the alarm bell of psychological insecurity. Zelensky was hoisting the twin flag of courage and native nationalism and no one wants to be reminded of what they are not. Who does the uppity little fellow think he is, one could almost hear the Don grumbling like an upset child? The demolition commenced without any formality. It was more like grilling a prisoner of war. Surrounded by a crowd of hostile interlocutors and with the Don himself hen-pecking and hemming him in, Zelenskyy had no hell of chance. By the time he was thrown out, he appeared disoriented and thoroughly ruffled. The Arab king, a trained fighter pilot and tested soldier, whose mother was also British like the Don’s, got a massive slap-down before back-heeling.

    READ ALSO: Ileya, four other popular festivals in Nigeria

    Next to fall was Cyril Ramaphosa, the urbane, cultured and amiable South African president. Eager to please, Ramaphosa was soberly suited and bore the depressed mien of a bankrupt banker. It was to no avail. South Africa has been punching above its weight at the ICC. Suspicion should have been roused when a few minutes earlier some high-tech honchos were seen wheeling television sets into the Oval war-room. The mugging and muzzling began immediately with the anaconda moistening over the cranium of the poor fellow with manic relish. Ramaphosa winced and grimaced like an African wildebeest about to be swallowed. By the time he was spat out, the old trade unionist could barely walk upright and could be seen heaving and sighing with relief.

      Here is a travel advisory for feckless and heedless African leaders trying out their luck with the Big Don. Do not approach his dreaded vicinity without your Isanusi or principal juju man and with the full complement of traditional African charms such as Gbetu-gbetu, Okugbe, Onde, Kanako, Afeeri, Ayeta, Ikunpa, Igbadi, Eedi, Balu- balu and Egbe, the king of all amulets which will transport you back to your bedroom once the anaconda topples you over with its harpoon tail. It is all shaping up to something not very nice. But then even the first nation founded in a set of ideals needs this kind of massive disruption to shake it out of complacent lethargy. 

  • How Trump altered images to support claims of ‘White genocide’ in South Africa

    How Trump altered images to support claims of ‘White genocide’ in South Africa

     In his Oval Office meeting Wednesday with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Trump made allegations of persecution of White farmers in South Africa, which he used to justify granting refugee status to a group of Afrikaners earlier this month.

    Ramaphosa denied there is genocide, and some Afrikaners say Trump is being lied to about a “White genocide” in the country.

    In the last three months of 2024, 12 people were murdered on farms in South Africa, according to South African police. One was a White farmer, while the others were Black labourers or security workers, police said.

    Some estimates say in recent years there have been about 50 farm murders a year, but those do not specify race. The country had nearly 27,000 total murders last year, according to police data.

    Trump played videos and held up articles during the White House meeting this week to support his unsubstantiated claims. But much of what he showed was being misrepresented. Here are three examples:

    Read Also: President Tinubu’s unprecedented commitment to Nigerian athletes

    Trump held up a printed article from “American Thinker,” a conservative online magazine, that included a screenshot, credited to Reuters, that the president said showed “all White farmers that are being buried.”

    But the video the screenshot was taken from was of humanitarian workers lifting body bags in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Reuters said. The footage was taken in February after deadly battles with a Rwanda-backed Congolese rebel group in the city of Goma.

    The “American Thinker” article was about both the Congo and South Africa, but the image does not show South Africa. Andrea Widburg, managing editor at “American Thinker” and the author of the post, told Reuters that Trump had “misidentified the image.”

    Trump claimed images of white crosses seen in the video played during his meeting with Ramaphosa showed burial sites of White farmers. However, the crosses were symbolic, part of a protest in 2020 after the killing of a White farming couple, according to local media coverage. A participant said they represented all farm murders, not solely White farmers, over the years.

    The demonstration, held near Normandien, South Africa, was calling on the government to take more action against farm killings.

    Ramaphosa acknowledged a problem of crime in his country.

    “There is criminality in our country,” he said to Trump. “People, who do get killed unfortunately through criminal activity, are not only White people. Majority of them are Black people.”

    The video Trump presented included clips of Julius Malema, the leader of a far-left South African political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters. He is heard singing an anti-apartheid song that includes the lyric, “kill the Boer,” referring to White farmers, in multiple clips from recent years.

    Malema was kicked out of Ramaphosa’s governing party, African National Congress, 13 years ago, and Ramaphosa said the EFF is a “small minority party” that does not represent the government. The ANC also distanced itself from the song more than a decade ago.

    In a statement to Reuters after the meeting between Trump and Ramaphosa, the EFF said the song “expresses the desire to destroy the system of white minority control over the resources of South Africa.”

    Three South African courts have ruled against attempts to have it designated as hate speech, saying it is a historical liberation chant, not a literal incitement to violence, Reuters reported.

  • Ukraine’s Alleged Militant Ties in Africa: Diplomacy, Covert Operations, and Regional Fallouts

    Ukraine’s Alleged Militant Ties in Africa: Diplomacy, Covert Operations, and Regional Fallouts

    On the eve of the meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria, reports began to arrive from the president’s inner circle about the true nature of the upcoming meeting. According to the source, the upcoming visit of the Ukrainian leader to Pretoria is related to the resolute intention to express concern about Ukraine’s allege support for terrorist groups on the African continent. Information that Ramaphosa plans to express dissatisfaction with Kiev, potentially involved in fueling conflicts in Africa, is spreading among officials in the president’s entourage. The increasing frequency of terrorists’ attacks in Africa makes high-ranking officials in South Africa think about the possible involvement of Ukraine in these incidents and calls for a diplomatic response.

    Within Ramaphosa’s administration, frustration simmers over escalating insurgent activities in regions like the Sahel, with Ukraine increasingly blamed behind closed doors. Advisers are urging a firm stance, arguing that Africa must confront foreign interference undermining its security. Once relegated to confidential briefings, these claims have now entered mainstream debate. Kyiv faces public condemnation from nations including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which severed diplomatic relations last year, citing Ukraine’s alleged support for transnational terror networks. Anger has spilled onto streets across the Sahel, where protesters accuse Kyiv of weapons transfers and militant training while talking about diplomacy and mutual interest in agricultural supply.

    Regional investigations, including those by Nigerian outlets, corroborate alarming patterns. Reports suggest Ukraine’s diplomatic missions have facilitated covert arms shipments, drone technology transfers, and specialized training for insurgents. For instance, Nigerian military operatives recently confiscated cutting-edge satellite devices en route to jihadist cells in the Northeast, mirroring discoveries in Niger, where Ukrainian-labeled weaponry was seized after clashes with rebels. Such revelations are transforming perceptions of Ukraine from a potential ally to a strategic threat. Analysts now liken the country to a “shadow colonizer,” accusing it of exploiting instability to expand influence—a narrative stirring outrage in Pretoria, where anti-colonial sentiment runs deep.

    Read Also: Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of breaking one-day Easter ceasefire

    The situation escalated further in Southern Africa this week. During a raid on an ISIS-linked camp in Mozambique’s Mocímboa da Praia, authorities recovered tactical gear and documents initially misidentified as Russian. Forensic analysis later confirmed the materials were Ukrainian military manuals on drone operations—a finding that has sent shockwaves through Nigerian defense circles. For nations like Nigeria, already combating groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, this underscores fears of foreign actors exploiting regional conflicts.

    As Zelenskyy’s visit approaches, pressure mounts on Ramaphosa to demand accountability while navigating diplomatic sensitivities. For Nigeria and its ECOWAS partners, the crisis highlights the urgent need for African unity against external forces weaponizing the continent’s vulnerabilities.

  • JUST IN: Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa’s president for 2nd term

    JUST IN: Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa’s president for 2nd term

    South Africa’s seventh democratically elected President Cyril Ramaphosa was officially sworn in Wednesday for a second term in office after his reelection by parliament last Friday.

    Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administered the oath of office in a colorful ceremony attended by several heads of state and government in the capital Pretoria.

    “I, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa,’’ the 71-year-old said in his oath of office.

    Zondo congratulated Ramaphosa and introduced him to the audience after signing a certificate, saying the president-elect has now been duly sworn in. Members of the public watching proceedings from the union building’s lawns erupted into loud cheers after Ramaphosa was sworn in.

    Interfaith prayers were held before the swearing-in ceremony with religious leaders praying for the incoming president and the government of national unity.

    Read Also: Tinubu to attend Ramaphosa’s inauguration in South Africa

    Members of the South African parliament reelected Cyril Ramaphosa last Friday as president for a second term during the first sitting of the legislature.

    Ramaphosa, the leader of the African National Congress party (ANC), received 283 votes, defeating Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighter party who garnered 44 votes.

    The ANC, once led by civil rights icon Nelson Mandela, dominated South African politics for the past three decades, until losing its majority in the May 29 national elections.

    The ANC has 159 lawmakers in the 400-member National Assembly, making it difficult for it to form a government on its own. It proposed the formation of a government of national unity.

    The ANC reached a deal to form a national unity government with the Democratic Alliance, the Patriotic Alliance, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and Good party among others.

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  • Buhari, Ramaphosa sign 32 agreements

    Vincent Ikuomola and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja 

     

    WEEKS after xenophobic attacks in South Africa stirred tension between Africa’s leading economies, President Muhammadu Buhari and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, met yesterday to explore solutions.

    They agreed to set up “early warning mechanisms” to detect hostility between South Africans and Nigerians to avoid recurrence of violence.

    Buhari travelled to South Africa following diplomatic tension between Pretoria and Abuja, a situation that forced the evacuation of about 600 Nigerians.

    While the President expressed his condemnation for the violence against Nigerians, Ramaphosa said Nigerians living in South Africa should respect the law.

    He vowed to ensure there is no recurrence.

    Ramaphosa said: “We have expressed our deep regret at the events of the past few weeks that manifested themselves through attacks that were directed at foreign nationals and our condemnation of all forms of intolerance and acts of violence remains very, very firm.”

    Nigeria recalled its high commissioner and evacuated some of its citizens last month after a spate of attacks left at least 12 people dead, sparking protests in Nigeria that targeted South African companies, including MTN and Shoprite, which were forced to temporarily close shop.

    Buhari condemned “the very few incidents of retaliatory attacks”, saying: “We took strong and decisive measures to stop the attacks and prevent any recurrences.”

    He deplored “in the strongest terms, attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa, the looting of their shops and businesses and burning of their properties”.

    The President added: “We call for the strengthening and implementation of all the necessary measures to prevent the re-occurrence of such action which threatens to undermine, not only our strong bilateral relations but also, what we stand for in the context of our vision for a strong and prosperous Africa we want.”

    Buhari agreed to set up a committee to address the issue of compensation to the victims, though South Africa was yet to formally agree to Nigeria’s reparation request, it was learnt.

    The issue was not mentioned in the joint communique issued at the end of the meeting, but a source who was part of the delegation but prefers not to be named said it was agreed that a committee on compensation is set up.

    In the communique, both leaders condemned the violent incidents and the destruction of property. They reiterated their call for heightened law enforcement.

    Read Also: I’m not interested in third term – Buhari

    The two presidents endorsed the establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism and directed the two Foreign Ministers to give practical expression to it.

    They endorsed the reestablishment of the Republic of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria Consular Forum to meet twice a year.

    Buhari arrived in South Africa on Wednesday on Ramaphosa’s invitation.

    He attended the inaugural elevated Bi-National Commission (BNC) session, which he co-chaired, as part of continuing bilateral engagements aimed at deepening cooperation.

    The communique says Ramaphosa alluded to the fact that the unfortunate incidents were not consistent with the values and principles underpinning South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

    He dispelled the notion that incidents of violence affecting foreign nationals were targeted at Nigerian nationals, as other foreign nationals and indeed South Africans were also affected.

    Ramaphosa assured his counterpart that the South African government was fully in control of the situation and that several interventions and engagements with the diplomatic community were underway.

    Speaking at the ninth BNC at the Union Building, the seat of the presidency in the capital of Pretoria, Buhari urged the South African government to open up its economy for more Nigerian businesses and to protect them.

    Buhari said: “We are pleased to inform you that our government has made doing business in Nigeria easier through the Ease of Doing Business Initiative to open up more opportunities for investors in Nigeria.

    “We call on the Government of South Africa to also take steps to ease the doing of business in the country, and open up its market space for Nigerian businessmen and women.”

    According to Buhari, Nigeria would continue to value its relationship with South Africa.

    No fewer than 32 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit.

    Buhari said: “We, in Nigeria, value the warm fraternal relations binding our two countries and cherish our Special relationship. We consider South Africa an ally and a strategic partner.”

    He called for increased collaboration against arms and drug/human trafficking and money laundering.

    Ramaphosa said the attacks were regrettable, assuring that his government would do more to safeguard lives and property.

    He said: “We will always be grateful to Nigeria for the support we received during the dark days of apartheid. We shall never forget the role you played to ensure that our people get the freedom we are enjoying today.”

    Ramaphosa said the 32 bilateral agreements and MoUs cover trade and industry, science and technology, defence, agriculture and energy.

    He said South Africa would create a more enabling environment for Nigerian businesses to thrive, acknowledging that more South African companies operate in Nigeria, while Nigerians were mostly in small and medium scale sectors in his country.

    He promised to deepen the reforms in his country to open the space for more Nigerian business to “address the imbalance”.

    Ramaphosa said: “The rule of law must be obeyed by all citizens. Nigerians in South Africa must obey the rule of law, while South Africans in Nigeria must obey the rule of law.”

    Nigeria is South Africa’s largest trading partner on the continent, with trade flows estimated at $4.48billion in 2018.

    According to data from the Stellenbosch-based Trade Law Centre, only nine per cent of Nigeria’s total trade is intra-African, and almost half of that is with South Africa.

    Nigeria is said to account for 64 per cent of South Africa’s total trade with the West African sub-Region.

  • Buhari to hold town hall meeting with Nigerians in South Africa

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will today depart Abuja for a three-day state visit to South Africa, following an invitation by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    The two leaders are billed to discuss the welfare of Nigerians eking out a living in the former apartheid enclave.

    The visit comes against the background of recent xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of 502 Nigerians and the exchange of visits by Special envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa.

    A statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, on Tuesday, said the two leaders would find common grounds for building harmonious relations among their respective citizens.

    ”While in South Africa, the Nigerian leader will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country, to share in their experiences”, Shehu said in the statement.

    He said the President Buhari would use the opportunity to reassure Nigerians of government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property and promoting peaceful co-existence.

    The statement reads: “President Buhari and his host will preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report will be presented.

    Read Also: President Buhari: Stop this internal bleeding

    “At the end of the meeting, both leaders will sign a joint communique.

    “The President and his delegation including Nigerian business representatives will also participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.”

    According to Shehu, President Buhari will be accompanied by governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and David Umahi (Ebonyi).

    Also scheduled for the trip are: ministers Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs); Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (Defence); Saleh Mamman (Power); Rauf Aregbesola (Interior); Olamilekan Adegbite (Mines and Steel Development); Maigari Dingyadi (Police Affairs) and Mrs. Mariam Katagum (State, Industry, Trade and Investment).

    Also on the trip are: National Security Adviser Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; National Intelligence Agency Director-General, Mr. Ahmed Abubakar and Nigeria Diaspora Commission Chairman/CEO Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    Shehu said the President would return to Abuja on Friday.

  • Buhari accepts South Africa’s apology for xenophobic attacks

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Monday accepted South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa’s apology to Nigeria over the persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians.

    The President, who described the attacks and violence as “very unfortunate”, assured that the relationship between the two countries “will be solidified”.

    President Buhari received President Ramaphosa’s Special Envoys – Dr. K. Mbatta and Jeff Radebe – who delivered their leader’s message at a meeting in Aso Villa, Abuja.

    They were accompanied by South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria Bobby Monroe.

    The President recalled that Nigeria made great contributions to the anti-apartheid struggles, which were not known to many South African youths.

    At the meeting were the Minister of Foreign Affairs Goeffery Onyeama, and Nigeria High Commissioner to South Africa, Kabiru Bala.

    Many Nigerians and other foreigners lost their lives and properties in the attacks, with many fleeing.

    Radebe, who briefed State House correspondents, lamented the attacks and violence, saying that they did not represent the value system of South African people.

    He disclosed that President Buhari will visit South Africa on October 3.

    He said: “I am the Special Envoy of President Ramaphosa. We met a short while ago with His Excellency President Buhari to convey our President Ramaphosa’s sincerest apologies about the incident that have recently transpired in South Africa.

    “Those incidents do not represent what we stand for as a constitutional democracy in South Africa.

    “The President has apologized for these incidents, and he has also instructed law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned to ensure that all those involved must be brought to book so that the rule of law must prevail in South Africa.

    “He also conveyed his fond memories of ensuring that both Nigeria and South Africa must continue to play a critical role in the rebuilding of Africa to attain the agenda 2063 – the Africa that we want.

    “He has also recalled with very fond memories historical ties that exist between Nigeria and South Africa.

    “During the dark days of apartheid, we always knew that the Nigerian people and their government always stood behind our leaders who were fighting against the obnoxious system of apartheid.

    “Even, Nigerian feminists contributed financially to make sure that apartheid is ended. And though Nigeria is far from Southern Africa, it was regarded as a frontline state because of the principled stand that all leaders of Nigeria made to end the system of apartheid.”

    The envoy recalled the roles played by Nigeria’s founding father, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and former Military Head of State, the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed.

    Radebe expressed hope that both countries will explore further avenues for unity when President Buhari visits on October 3.

    “I’m very happy that I came to convey his message to His Excellency, President Buhari, and leave with very good information that President Buhari has conveyed to us to take back to President Ramaphosa.”

    On compensation, the envoy said there will be “detailed discussions” when the President visits.

    He stressed: “I do understand that the issue of compensation, restitution is part of the agenda items in the draft that the Nigerian government has presented to South Africa.

    “I think we should wait until 3rd October to see how that unfolds. But, I can indicate as a lawyer that the South African laws require that all registered companies must have public insurance in terms of things of this nature.”

    Radebe said law enforcement agencies were working day and night to apprehend all those involved in the attacks.

    “I’m told that more than 50 people have been arrested thus far. There is a security cluster in South Africa led by the Minister of Defence as well as the Minister of Police that is working around the clock to make sure that all those who are alleged to be involved in these incidents are brought to book.”

    Radebe said the xenophobic attacks always occurred during “economic tough times” in South Africa, where the latest unemployment rate was around 29 percent.

    He added: “It seems to us that some of these incidents occur in areas where there is poverty, unemployment and fight for scarce resources.

    “Having said that, no amount of hunger or hardship justifies the looting of property and killing of people whether they are South Africans or foreigners. We regard that as an act of criminality.

    “Obviously, there is an economic impact of these events that is why the President at his level deemed it necessary to send us as special envoys.

    “So, it is the responsibility therefore not only of governments of Nigeria and South Africa but of ordinary citizens to play their part in ensuring that these incidents do not reoccur,” he said

    Radebe said Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa was not recalled, but asked to return to provide “a comprehensive picture of events” that transpired in South Africa.

    Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina, in a statement, said President Buhari recalled roles played by Nigeria in ending apartheid.

    He quoted the President as saying: “Going back to historical antecedents, we made great sacrifices for South Africa to become a free state.

    “I was a junior officer to Gen. Murtala Muhammad, and Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. They were not operating in a democracy, but they got Nigerians to support them in the bid to see a free South Africa.

    “Our leadership was quite committed to the cause. We made sacrifices, which younger people of today may not know. During my last visit to South Africa with the late President Robert Mugabe, it was very emotional, as Mugabe spoke about Nigeria’s contribution to free South Africa.”

    The President thanked Ramaphosa, through the Special Envoy, “for coming to explain to us what happened in South Africa recently, leading to the killing and displacement of foreigners.”

    President Buhari responded to the profuse apologies from the South African President, pledging that relationship between the two countries “will be solidified,” while describing the xenophobic attacks as “very unfortunate.”

    The statement said Radebe apologised on Ramaphosa’s behalf for what he called “acts of criminality and violence” that recently occurred, adding that “such do not represent our value system, nor those of the larger number of South Africans.”

    The Special Envoy disclosed that 10 people died during the attacks – two Zimbabweans and eight South Africans. He said there was no Nigerian casualty.

    South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Moroe, said both countries were working toward adopting an Early Warning Mechanism (EWM) aimed at tackling xenophobia.

    He said the visit of President Ramaphosa’s special envoys reaffirms the longstanding relations between South Africa and Nigeria.

    Moroe quoted Ramaphosa as saying: “South Africa has been home to foreign nationals even before the end of apartheid.

    Read Also: Buhari to West African leaders: it’s time to stamp out terrorism

    “We are a hospitable and a peace-loving nation which has for many years fully integrated people from different countries within communities.”

    Also on Monday, President Ramaphosa extended the deployment of troops in gang-infested communities in and around Cape Town.

    His spokesperson, Khusela Diko, said the extension, which will last until March 31, was with immediate effect.

    Members of the regular and reserve forces of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) will undertake operations in cooperation with the Police, he said, adding that they will preserve law and order in the areas where gangs have spiralled out of control.

    The Nigerian victims of the xenophobic attacks were airlifted home last Wednesday. Ogun State had the highest number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa; the rest are from 16 other states.

    Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa appealed to state governments to support the returnees.

    She said letters of appeal have been sent to the states to solicit their interventions.

    Dabiri-Erewa, at a briefing, said 30 children and a widow with four children were among the returnees.

    She said Ogun had 30 returnees, followed by Imo State with 28.

    Others are Abia, seven; Anambra, 13; Benue, one; Delta, 15; Ebonyi, two; Edo, 13; Ekiti, six; Enugu, seven; Imo, 28; Kogi, one; Kwara, three; Lagos, seven; Osun, six; Ondo, six; and Oyo, 23.

    Dabiri-Erewa said the widow is from Ondo, adding that the state promised to ensure the children are enrolled in school.

    The NIDCOM chair said the states are expected to have their representatives on ground to receive their indigenes.

    She said: “I am going to stressed one thing: those who returned are not criminals. In fact, they are very hardworking Nigerians and have lost everything they have ever worked for in South Africa.”

    Dabiri-Erewa said the returnees who qualified will get soft loans from the Bank of Industry (BOI).

    She said another set of 319 were expected to return today and their details will be forwarded to their states to ensure proper reintegration.

    She added: “This is the time to show ourselves love and unity, it doesn’t matter what part of Nigeria you come from, we are one united Nigeria and the love and unity, the sense of togetherness was very prominent in this case, where we were being externally attacked.”

    A United States-based international trade expert, Ms Toyin Umesiri, said the attacks could threaten the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

    She said: “We must put legal language in the AfCFTA to ensure that all African presidents and Ministers of Trade know that they have a responsibility to protect people and businesses under the continental free trade agreement.

    “The amendment can either be done directly by the African Union or each nation can raise the issue in their process of ratifying the agreement.

    “Nigeria can actually take the role of pushing the investment protection agenda in its ratification of the AfCFTA.”

     

     

     

  • S’Africa’s envoy heads for Nigeria on peace mission

    SOUTH Africa has finally decided to reach out to Nigeria and other countries worse-hit by xenophobic attacks in its territory.

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has despatched his envoy to Abuja to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to explain his country’s commitment to “Pan African unity and solidarity”.

    He would also speak on steps taken to end the attacks on foreigners and to bring perpetrators to account.

    The attacks and killings have strained the relationship between the two countries.

    President Buhari sent a special envoy to express the Federal Government’s displeasure.

    Also at the weekend, Zimbabweans booed President Ramaphosa during the funeral of former President Robert Mugabe.

    On Sunday, President Ramaphosa’s spokesman Khusela Diko said three envoys would visit Nigeria and six other countries.

    He added that the envoys would deliver the president’s message regarding the attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of property.

    They will also reassure fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity.

    Besides, the envoys will reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law.

    Diko listed the other countries for visitation as Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.

    They will brief the governments about steps being taken by South Africa to halt the attacks and to bring the perpetrators to book.

    Nigerian citizens are fleeing South Africa following the wave of deadly xenophobic attacks.

    After private airline Air Peace volunteered to fly people back home for free, a flight carrying 189 Nigerians landed in Lagos last Wednesday.

    Another batch of 320 Nigerians is due for evacuation tomorrow, the airline’s management confirmed on Sunday.

    One-time External Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi has urged the Federal Government to sue South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the attacks.

    He called on Nigeria to file complaints against specific South African officials at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for aiding and abetting the xenophobic attacks.

    To ensure the return of the second batch of Nigerians, a Boeing 777-300 belonging to Air Peace and its crew will depart Lagos in the early hours of tomorrow for the Oliver Tambo International Airport in South Africa.

    Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema told The Nation that the airline was working with the Nigerian High Commissioner in South Africa, which he said confirmed the ongoing profiling of Nigerians willing to return.

    According to him, the airline was ready for the operation, noting that efforts were on to deploy a bigger aircraft with a capacity for 367 passengers to bring more Nigerians willing to return home.

    He said the High Commission had prepared over 350 Nigerians for the flight.

    The Air Peace chairman, however, hopes that the immigration hurdles  that forced the airline to return half-full during last week’s evacuation, would not play out again.

    Read Also: Buhari sends emissary to Ramaphosa

    Onyema said the carrier would be willing to deploy a bigger aircraft if it is sure that the affected Nigerians would scale relevant immigration hurdles set by South African authorities.

    He said: “Air Peace is fully mobilised for the next batch of evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa. We did not suspend flights; we only waited for the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to prepare the next batch. The idea is not to fly a half-full aircraft, which would make us incur more costs.

    “We are fully set for Tuesday. Our aircraft and crew will leave about 4 o’clock and get to South Africa about 9 o’clock for the operations. We hope about 350 Nigerians are ready so that we will fly enough passengers, not to leave the aircraft empty.”

    Also, bookings to South African Airways have reduced significantly since the xenophobic attacks started.

    Checks with travel agencies in Nigeria revealed that the airline has suffered drastic reduction in flight bookings since the attacks increased.

    A senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, Chimaraoke Nnamani, yesterday called on the Federal Government to create a rehabilitation programme for Nigerian-returnee.

    He urged well-meaning Nigerians, corporate and charity organisations to join in the rehabilitation efforts.

    The lawmaker commended the management of Air Peace for the prompt intervention to rescue fellow citizens.

    In a statement he issued in Abuja yesterday, the senator said he was particularly touched by the patriotism and uncommon spirit of brotherhood exhibited by Onyema and his team.

    South Africa has been hit by a new spate of violence for the past few weeks. At least 12 people, including 10 South Africans and two foreigners, have reportedly been killed.

    South Africa is host to some 274,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from African countries, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

    Xenophobia-related attacks are common in South Africa, where foreigners are blamed for taking up employment that should have been taken by locals.

  • Buhari to South Africa: stop attacks on Nigerians

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Monday admonished South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to take “visible steps” to halt the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners resident in that country.

    The President said the persistent attacks and violence were capable of denting the image of South Africa as a leading African country.

    President Buhari ordered the immediate voluntary evacuation of Nigerians willing to return from South Africa due to increasing xenophobic attacks.

    The President spoke after receiving the report of his Special Envoy to South Africa and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. The envoy was in the country for on-the-spot assessment of the attacks and consultations with the South African president and other government officials.

    Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said the special envoy, who was in Pretoria from September 5 to 7, “conveyed the deep concern of President Buhari and Nigerians about intermittent violence against Nigerians, their property and business interests in South Africa.”

    The president, according to the statement, also stressed the need for the South African Government to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.

    “President Buhari is worried that the recurring issue of xenophobia could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries on the continent, if nothing is done to stop it.

    “The Special Envoy conveyed the assurance of President Buhari that the Nigerian Government is ready and willing to collaborate with the South African Government to find a lasting solution to the involvement of few Nigerians in criminal activities, and to protect the lives and property of the larger groups of other law abiding Nigerians and indeed Africans in general, against all forms of attacks, including xenophobia.

    “President Buhari further assured that the Nigerian Government will guarantee the safety of lives, property and business interests of South Africans in Nigeria.

    “On his part, President Ramaphosa agreed that the violence was most disconcerting and embarrassing, adding that his government completely rejects such acts, which undermine not only the country’s image but also its relations with brotherly African countries.

    “President Ramaphosa reaffirmed his stand against criminality and committed to do everything possible to protect the rights of every Nigerian and other foreign nationals in the country.

    “The Special Envoy also interfaced with his South African counterpart, where they reviewed the situation of foreign immigrants in general and Nigerians in particular. They agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the root causes of the recurring attacks on Nigerians and their property.”

    The statement said President Buhari had taken note of the report and instructed  Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama  to continue to engage with appropriate authorities on the concrete measure the South African Government is expected to take.

    Already, about 640 Nigerians have registered for evacuation from South Africa. Giving details of the plans to airlift them, the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyeama, said the first batch of Nigerians to be evacuated will arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos tomorrow.

    Onyema explained that the 320 Nigerians that will be airlifted tomorrow were part of the over 700 Nigerians captured 640 the documentation.

    Onyeama, who spoke on phone with The Nation, said the carrier had secured necessary approvals from the aviation and government authorities in Nigeria and South Africa for the evacuation.

    He said the aircraft deployed for the operations will depart Nigeria today, adding that it will return tomorrow.

    Onyeama said the aircraft will return to South Africa on Wednesday to airlift other Nigerians who could not be accommodated in the first batch.

    Sources said officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are already on the alert for the operations.

    Read Also: Buhari’s Special Envoy, Ramaphosa, pledge peace

    Also, former presidential candidate, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, and leaders of the Nigerian community in Cape Town have requested President Ramphosa to apologise to Nigerians and other countries whose citizens were victims of the attacks.

    Ezekwesili, who was in Cape Town, South Africa for the World Economic Forum (WEF), joined the entrepreneurs, professionals and other members of the Nigerian community, led by Mr Cosmos Echie, to decry xenophobic attacks.

    In a communique after its meeting in Cape Town, described the attacks as Afrophobia, urging the Nigerian and South African governments to refrain from provocative statements.

    Echie said: “It was unanimously agreed that the crisis is detrimental to the spirit of African renaissance, affirmation of black heritage, progress and development. Afrophobia compromises everything that the recently brokered intra-African trade, Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, represents and aspires to deliver.”

    He urged President Ramaphosa to apologise to Nigerians and other countries whose citizens were attacked, come up with measures that will end the conflict and ensure that bilateral trade agreements between the countries are not affected.

    Echie said: “Officials of the government of South Africa must immediately desist from making any further pejorative and incendiary comments targeting Nigerians and their country and instead publicly commit to taking preventive and surveillance measures that will foreclose a repeat of Afrophobic attacks of Nigerians and other African nationals.

    “The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, should rise to the demands of leadership and reach out to the President of Nigeria to trigger the series of dialogue and actions necessary for swift de-escalation of the brewing conflict between their two countries.

    “The President of South Africa should offer a sincere public apology to Nigeria, other countries affected by the attacks and the entire continent for the tragic hostility and harm perpetrated against their citizens.

    “The President of South Africa should send a sharp signal to South Africans and the continent by visiting the victims of the Afrophobia attacks to empathize with and reassure them of their safety in South Africa and the government should consider paying compensations for losses sustained in the attacks.

    “South Africa and Nigeria should agree on a mutual legal assistance cooperation scheme for tackling cases of crimes occurring among their citizens.”

    “The Nigerian High Commission and Nigerians in South Africa should design a fact-based campaign to widely convey  the accurate and positive narrative of the value they contribute to their host country. For example, South Africans must be made aware that more than 18 per cent of lecturers in their higher institutions are Nigerians. A significant percentage of the medical personnel in rural hospitals are Nigerians. Most Nigerians and Nigerian-owned businesses operate responsibly in legitimate and professional practices in South Africa compared to the less than one per cent of cases of shadowy activities.”

    Following a protest by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to the African Commission over the orgy of violence against foreign nationals, the commission has indicated its readiness to take South Africa to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights to seek reparation for Nigerian victims.

    Chairperson of African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Ms. Soyata Maiga, said the commission will approach the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for redress and compensation for victims of the attacks.

    The decision to sue South Africa followed protests by SERAP, which urged the commission to  put pressure on the South African authorities and political leaders to uphold the highest standards in the protection of human rights of Nigerians and halt the trend of hate, violence and discrimination.

    SERAP said: “If the victims see that a process for ensuring adequate compensation for the crimes committed against them in South Africa is underway, it will also discourage revenge violence and killings and help break the cycle of violence that is now spiraling beyond control in the country.”

    The Director-General of the Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri Erewa, disclosed in Abuja yesterday that the Nigeria government was keenly interested in the progress and outcome of the court cases against policemen who aided and abetted the attacks in South Africa.

    Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said eight policemen were charged to court for their involvement in previous extra-judicial killing of Nigerians, adding that the other four were charged for complicity in the recent attacks.

    She stressed: “Eight policemen are in court over previous killings in South Africa. The case has been on for a while and we are saying win these cases.

    “Four policemen were arrested and charged to court over the killing of a Nigerian in his house a while ago. And in the case of Mrs. Uju Ndubuisi Chukwu the case has been made a high profile case and is being handled by a Brigadier General. We are saying let these cases end so we would know the result.”

    “Mrs Chukwu, Deputy Director-General of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria was in South Africa to attend the conference of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) but was murdered in her hotel room in Johannesburg on June 13.”

  • Xenophobia: How South African union plotted attacks – Report

    A TWIST to last week’s xenophobic attacks in South Africa seems to be unfolding following a newspaper report that the violence stemmed from an “orchestrated campaign to destabilize the country.”

    The influential Mail and Guardian reported on Friday that “security cluster officials are investigating the possibility of an orchestrated campaign to destabilize the country.”

    An investigative report by the newspaper named the All Truck Drivers Forum (ATDF) as possible instigator of the chaos.

    It said: “High-ranking security officials have also discussed the political motivations behind the flare-up in violence, with theories that the violence was part of a campaign to embarrass and ultimately destabilize the presidency of Cyril Ramaphosa.”

    It added: In parts of KwaZulu-Natal, freight trucks were attacked and set alight.

    Drivers found to be foreign nationals were also assaulted.

    ATDF, which purports to represent only South African truck drivers, has dismissed the intelligence, saying that its organisation is anti-violence. Its spokesperson, Sipho Zungu, said on Thursday: “When this latest violence started on Monday we were in court, so there is no way this was us. ATDF has never even had a strike, let alone [engaged in] violence [and] looting. The nation is being misled here.

    “What needs to be clarified is that ATDF is fighting for all truck drivers in the country, no matter if they work or not.” He went on to add: “The reality is that South African truck drivers no longer have jobs, and we have been engaging truck owners and government that they must get rid of foreign truck drivers.”

    Read Also: Xenophobia, business and diplomacy

    This kind of sentiment, and existing tensions, were worsened by political rhetoric around access to healthcare and unemployment before the elections. It reached boiling point last month, when police operations in Johannesburg to find fake goods were thwarted by shopkeepers, who pelted law-enforcement authorities with rocks, forcing a retreat.

    Public reaction to this took on a xenophobic tinge, with some South Africans blaming foreign nationals for a host of problems — from the proliferation of drugs and fake goods, to crime and filth in inner-city Johannesburg.

    Information shared with the JCPS cluster last Friday indicated that meetings to discuss strategy and co-ordinate attacks on foreign nationals were to schedule to take place this past weekend. The meetings were to be held at venues in different parts of Gauteng, including the Mzimhlophe grounds in Soweto, Alexandra at Pan taxi rank, Randburg taxi rank, Ezibayeni in Hillbrow and Part Two, Diepsloot.