The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Xenophobia

  • Xenophobia: Falana threatens legal action against South Africa

    Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), on Thursday asked President Jacob Zuma of South Africa to identify suspected perpetrators of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans living in that country for prosecution.

    The request is contained in a letter he wrote to President Zuma titled: “Request to identify perpetrators of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians, bring them to justice and provide adequate compensation to victims.”

    Falana also asked the South African leader to promote and ensure access to justice and the right to effective remedy and reparations to victims.

    The lawyer said he would sue the South African government if it fails to stop the xenophobic attacks as requested.

    He said, “Take notice that if the xenophobic attacks continue unabated we shall be compelled to drag your government to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for appropriate legal redress.

    “Since 2008, the xenophobic violence and other criminal acts have continued to occur across South Africa claiming lives, displacing tens of thousands of people and leaving countless victims injured and robbing them of their property.

    “Although some arrests have reportedly been made, many perpetrators are yet to be brought to justice while the victims continue to be denied access to justice and their internationally recognized right to an effective remedy and reparations.

    “We believe that it is the failure of your government to bring perpetrators to justice and protect the victims of the xenophobic attacks that has resulted in a vicious cycle of attacks and impunity.

    ” These xenophobic attacks and violence are not only human rights violations but also criminal acts, and the persistent failure to proactively address the problems is a serious affront to the rule of law, and directly breaches your government’s international human rights obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly Article 12 on the right to movement.”

     

     

  • Xenophobia: Senate withdraws from South Africa trip

    The Senate has cancelled its planned trip to South Africa over recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in that country.

    Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over Wednesday’s plenary, announced the cancellation of the trip ‎after about 30 minutes closed-door session of the upper chamber.

    He said the lawmakers reached the decision to withdraw from the trip following the insistence of the House of Representatives to send separate delegation to South Africa.

    Ekweremadu said attempts by the Senate to prevail on the Reps to allow a single National Assembly delegation for the trip were rejected by the lower chamber.

    “On our trip to South Africa to engage our colleagues in their parliament regarding xenophobia, we noted that the House Representatives insisted on going to South Africa independently,” he said.

    “We thought we could send a single delegation of the National Assembly to avoid the unnecessary embarrassment of multiple delegations.

    “In the circumstance, the Senate decided to pull out of the trip and allow the delegation of the House of Representatives to proceed. We wish them safe trip and good luck.”

    NAN

     

     

  • Xenophobia: What we will tell SA Parliament – Reps

    Xenophobia: What we will tell SA Parliament – Reps

    • To ask for N84 million compensation

    The House of Representatives yesterday said is would have been irresponsible for the Nigeria Parliament not to embark on legislative diplomacy to South Africa in light of the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

    The leader of the House and head of the delegation, Femi Gbajabiamila while briefing reporters in the company of members of the delegation on Tuesday said the country is deploying all it has to ensure that ” this is the last time it happens.”

    Gbajabiamila said: “We are hopeful that our engagement with the South African Parliament and authorities will provide lasting solutions.

    Gbajabiamila
    Gbajabiamila

    “We will attempt to meet with the South African Parliament to discuss the possibility of both our countries enacting hate crime laws. This would cover crimes committed based on nationality.

    “We intend to engage the SA Parliament and other authorities on areas of mutual benefit and how much both countries could lose from xenophobia  and possible retaliatory actions or severing of diplomatic ties.”

    He said the delegation will seek to strengthen the Nigerian /South African Bilateral Commission which only exists on paper presently as well as meet with Nigerians who reside in South Africa and assure them of governments intervention.

    The lawmaker said Nigeria will be asking for N84 million as compensation for affected Nigerians in the last xenophobic attacks, adding that Nigerian is not afraid to weld the big stick if South Africa errs.

    [quote arrow=”yes”]”I can say confidently and with conviction and with pride that our country, Nigeria is afraid of no one. But I believe when you said you’re a big brother, retaliation is not always the best or the first step to diplomacy. We gain strength through peace. I believe in reconciliation. Cutting off ties and retaliation are always the last resort. They will always be on the table, but it’s always a last resort.[/quote]

    “If you remember clearly just not too long ago, Nigeria fined perhaps the biggest South African company N3.5 billion as fines. There was no question of Nigeria being afraid of slapping such a hefty fine that some people argued could cripple MTN. But we went ahead and did it because they broke the law.

    The Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnena Elendu- Ukeje while speaking said when the delegation gets to South African parliament: ” we will be looking at agreements. pieces of legislation that would support pro- immigration.

    “We would be looking at pieces of legislation that says to them that they must resist structural racism, xenophobia. We would be reminding them that like our parliament, like their parliament, they’re signatories to the United Nations’ treaty against xenophobia, racism and all forms of hate crimes.

    “And we would remind them that we have that platform to go back to the event that they do not conform to the treaties that they agreed with, We shall also be reminding them that silence is complicity, that parliament cannot remove itself from this.

    “In the event that that fails…because as they say: in peace time, be prepared for war, in the event that that fails, we shall be reminding them that retaliation is only to the mutual detrimental of both countries.

    ” And reminding them of their companies in Nigeria, and the fact that we have the capacity to do that as they have seen with MTN  that was the reason, most people say, that President Jacob Zuma actually made the trip to Nigeria. So, we have that capacity, and would be reminding them.”

  • Reps team to meet South African parliament on xenophobia attacks

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday constituted a six-member team to visit South Africa and interface with its parliament over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

    The assignment, according to the members, is a fact-finding mission to know the actual cause of the attacks.

    Briefing journalists in Abuja at the end of plenary, the leader of the delegation, Femi Gbajabiamila, assured that the visit would provide lasting solutions to the recurring attacks.

    “The visit will also provide opportunities to meet Nigerians in South Africa and assure them of government’s commitment in safeguarding their lives and property, among others,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, said the committee had engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also condemned the attacks.

    Elendu-Ukeje, who is also a member of the delegation, said it was constitutional to engage the South African parliament on the matter.

    “We will be looking at pieces of legislation that say to them that they must resist structural racism, Xenophobia,” she said.

    “We will be reminding them that they are signatories to the United Nations treaties against Xenophobia and racism.

    “If the mission fails, we will remind them of their companies in Nigeria.”

    NAN

  • Nigerian, South African unions to meet on xenophobia attacks

    Nigerian trade union, United Labour Congress (ULC) has said plans are underway for talks with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) over the recent attacks on foreigners in that country.

    COSATU is the largest of South Africa’s three labour federations, with 1.8million members from 21 affiliated trade unions.

    ULC national president, Joe Ajaero, stated this at the ULC’s inaugural Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Lagos at the weekend.

    Ajaero, who condemned the xenophobic attacks, urged South African trade unions to speak out against the attacks, saying they were evidence of “misplaced aggression.”

    “COSATU should speak out, though the ULC is putting in place modalities for reaching out to our comrades in that nation for positive steps in building better relations between our citizens,” Ajaero said.

    The ULC lamented the “looming hunger and hardship” in the country, but commended the Federal Government’s current efforts to protect the naira and urged a “more sustainable action to sanitise the foreign exchange market.”

     

     

     

     

  • Xenophobic attacks will lead to calamity in Africa, says Obasanjo

    Xenophobic attacks will lead to calamity in Africa, says Obasanjo

    Former Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has critisised South African leaders for allowing xenophobic attacks to continue in the country.

    He was however quick to say that, if the leadership of the country allows its youths to continue killing other fellow Africans, it will be a calamity for South Africa and the African continent as a whole.

    The former President who featured on Kaduna based Liberty Radio Programme, Guest of the Week at the weekend said “it is understandable to say the South African youths are being childish, but it is unacceptable for their leaders to watch them go on rampage against fellow Africans.”

    He however stated categorically that any leader who allows xenophobic attacks to linger under his watch is not fit to be an African leader.

    According to Obasanjo who spoke extensively to Liberty Radio on the newly established Obasanjo Presidential Library, no African country can attain development in isolation.

    “They must move together as a continent if the desired development is to be achieved.

    “What all African countries must remember is that, Nigeria fought for
    decolonisation of most of that African countries. But, whether anyone
    remembers what Nigeria did for decolonisation of African countries or not is not even an issue, the issue, the issue is that any African must not be treated as unwanted in any part of Africa.

    “Any leader who allows xenophobic attacks to happen and linger under his watch is not fit to be an African leader.

    “If youths are behaving childishly, then, what is the leadership doing? It is understandable to see children behaving childishly, but if the leaders also behave childishly, that is a calamity for that country and for Africa”.

    Speaking about the Presidential Library, where he built a Church and Mosque, the former President said, as a leader of the country, he needed to lead by example, without bias to any religious group.

    He said he was raised in a community where Christian and Muslims co-exist
    peacefully and he had lived with that all his life, adding that, even as
    President of Nigeria, he used to fast during Ramadan and during lent.

    The former President however condemn the situation where people now kill one
    another in the name of religion, saying anyone who kills in the name of
    religion is an enemy of God.

    On the fight against corruption, former President Obasanjo commended
    President Muhammadu Buhari led administration on the anti graft war,
    reiterating that Buhari has not disappointed him, except that he is weak in
    the area of economy.

  • Xenophobia: APC diaspora commends legislators for S/Africa trip

    Xenophobia: APC diaspora commends legislators for S/Africa trip

    A global affairs analyst and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavian chapter, Ayoola Lawal has commended the decision of the leadership of the House of Representatives to travel with the officials of Nigeria foreign affairs to South Africa to engage the parliament of South Africa on the senseless xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationalities.

    In a statement made available to newsmen Lawal strongly condemned the action of the South African people describing it as one of a troglodyte as well as the lackadaisical attitude of the President Zuma-led administration on the barbaric attacks on fellow Africans.

    It will be recalled earlier that Nigerian Senate strongly condemned the attacked and called on the federal government to review Nigeria’s foreign policies in the interest of Nigerians in diaspora.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Matters, Rep Rita Orji also condemned in strong terms and called the attention of Nigerians to the “alleged slothful attitude of the Federal Government towards the protection of Nigerians outside the country saying that the government paid more interest in remittance from citizens abroad and not their welfare”.

    Ayoola noted that even if Nigerians can be considered lawful in exercising “our voting right, it will be more unfair to the Nigerians in Diaspora if they cannot be fully protected and their safety assured in countries with Nigerian consulates.

    “I strongly share the same perspective on the questions credited to Hon. Orji; Are Nigerians in Diaspora dear only to the government of Nigeria because of their remittance to the country? Has the federal government taken any assured steps that incessant unlawfully killings of Nigerians abroad are being taken care of?

    “Why is the federal government not taking a critical look at what Nigerians in Diaspora face in the countries that they are while the government is over-protecting the businesses and interests of South Africans to the detriment of Nigeria? And why would this conspiracy of silence linger while blood is being shed; while Nigerians are being killed like chicken in various countries? Nigerians are becoming endangered species.“Must we protect the foreign interest to the detriment of Nigerians. These are incisive questions that deserve real but not political answers.

    “Must we protect foreign interest to the detriment of Nigerians. These are incisive questions that deserve real but not political answers. One thing I’m sure of with the American and the advanced countries’ government is they stand tall in the interest of their citizen first. Why not us? especially against the ingrate South Africans that we sacrificed several resources of Nigerians to liberate from the clutches of evil apartheid.

    “I implore the acting president to take the bull by the horn and do the needful by taking a decisive action in protecting the interest of Nigerians in South Africa now and in the future and look into the review of our foreign policies in the interest of Nigeria. I’m confident that our esteem legislators both in the senate and house of representatives will support him and expedite any action necessary from their part,” he said.

     

  • ‘Nigerians in South Africa tired of bad governance at home’

    A South Africa-based Nigerian don, Prof. Chris Isike, on Thursday urged the Senate delegation to South Africa to help promote  good governance  to discourage  Nigerians from travelling abroad.

    Isike, a professor of African politics at the  University of Zululand, Kwazulu Natal Province, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone from Mpangeni, South Africa,  that good governance would encourage Nigerians to earn a living in their own country.

    The senate delegation’s  proposed visit  to South Africa is coming on the heels of the recent xenophobic  attacks against Nigerians and other nationals in that country.

    Isike  said sending the  Sen. Ike Ekweremadu`s led delegation to that country was in order as  it would give Nigerians  a sense of belonging.

    “ The delegation must assure Nigerians here in South Africa  that when it  gets  back home, it will strive to promote good governance.

    “ A lot of people have left the country because they are tired of  bad governance and corruption.

    “  Many Nigerians have no business being here. But when they return home, they should see democracy at work with its attendant benefits,” he said.

    Isike, who is also the Chairman of Mpangeni Ward chapter of Nigeria Union, said that with improved electricity supply, small businesses would grow.

    “ This development, I assure you will make many Nigerians return and start small businesses,” he said.

    The don urged the delegation to ensure that  the South African government acknowledged  that a  larger percentage of Nigerians in that country were doing well and contributing positively to the economy.

    He said  this  was important in order  to correct the impression being created in the media that Nigerians were largely involved in crime.

    Isike also said the delegation must  give Nigerians in South Africa  an assurance of government`s backing and protection.(NAN)

  • Xenophobic: NLC urges S/African govt to prosecute perpetrators

    Xenophobic: NLC urges S/African govt to prosecute perpetrators

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the South African government to go beyond mere condemnation of recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals and take immediate steps to prosecute and sanction individuals and groups responsible for the attacks.

    In a statement signed by its president, Ayuba Wabba and made available to journalists in Abuja, the NLC described as mindless, the attacks on foreigners and their businesses in the former apartheid enclave.

    •Wahab
    •Wahab

    The body blamed the government for not doing enough to ease the frustration of the people.

    Wabba said the contribution of Nigerians and other Africans towards the defeat of apartheid was informed by the logic of defending civil liberties of all people, creed and race.

    [quote font=”times” font_size=”18″ font_style=”italic” color=”#f4f4f4″ bgcolor=”#3c6060″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]He reminded the South African government that it was the duty of all Africans to stand up and oppose injustice of racial minority that marginalised and mindlessly abuses the South African black majority.[/quote]

    The statement reads: “We never saw it as a debt that a liberated South Africa should pay back to the rest of us. Rather, it was a duty for us to stand against injustice anywhere and anytime.

    “The Nigeria Labour Congress affirms that the recent February 2017 xenophobic attack like previous ones (in 2008 and 2015) are yet another unacceptable and avoidable development. We totally condemn it and call on the South African government to move without further delay to take actions to prevent another occurrence.

    “People, especially migrants, refugees and asylum seekers all over the world are and should be welcomed and not made targets of conscienceless attacks. For Africa and South Africa, the pursuit of togetherness, care, warm reception towards and hospitality to others are some of the enduring attributes and the essence of the Ubuntu spirit. It is unacceptable that foreigners, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are labelled criminals as a justification to subject them to extra-judicial actions.

    “NLC considers the South African government’s condemnation of these recent xenophobic attacks as a positive action. We, however, call on the government to go beyond condemnation to investigate, prosecute and sanction persons, groups or individuals that might have played any role in these mindless attacks on foreigners.

    “A conscious approach to accountability will send a firm signal to other potential xenophobes and xenophobia instigators and participators of the consequences that await perpetrators.”

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  • Xenophobia: Nigerian community in S/Africa welcomes Senate’s visit

    Xenophobia: Nigerian community in S/Africa welcomes Senate’s visit

    The Nigerian community in South Africa says the plan by the  Senate to send a  delegation to that country over the xenophobic attacks is a welcome development.

    Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, the President of the Nigeria Union, South Africa, told newsmen on the telephone from Pretoria on Wednesday that the visit would add value to the campaign against xenophobia.

    “We are pleased to know that a Senate delegation to be led by Sen. Ike Ekeweremadu, Deputy Senate President,  will visit South Africa.

    “This visit will add value to all the struggles and campaign against xenophobia in South Africa.

    “For long, we had clamoured for this kind of visit to demonstrate the Federal Government’s  opposition to attacks against Nigerians.

    “It is a welcome development,” he said.

    Anyene stated that the Nigerian community would mobilise to welcome the senators during the visit.

    “We need this kind of high-level visit to make the statement that Nigerians should be protected in South Africa while joining the campaign against xenophobia,” he said.

    He also urged Nigerians resident in South Africa to cooperate with the senate delegation during the visit.