South Africa has faulted the decision of the federal government to recall its high commissioners, saying it would communicate diplomatically with Nigeria when Muhammadu Buhari becomes president in May.

Recalling that it did not take a similar action when many of its citizens where trapped during the collapse of a guest house at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, it described the reaction of the Nigerian government as “unfortunate and regrettable”.

“The South African government takes note that the outgoing government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has recalled its acting high commissioner to South Africa,” read a statement issued by Clayson Monyela, spokesperson of the department of international relations and cooperation.

“A government resorts to such an extraordinary diplomatic step to express outrage at actions or behaviour of another government.

“We are not sure which actions or behaviour of the South African Government the Nigerian Government is protesting. It is only Nigeria that has taken this unfortunate and regrettable step. If this action is based on the incidents of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of our country, it would be curious for a sisterly country to want to exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda.

“Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has just returned from Indonesia to attend the Africa-Asia Summit and the 60th Anniversary of the historic Bandung Conference. At no stage did the Nigerian delegation present at that gathering, express its intention to formally raise the issue with the South African side.

“South Africa remains committed to a strong bond of friendship and bilateral relations with Nigeria. It is for this reason that when 84 of our citizens perished on Nigerian soil, we did not blame the Nigerian Government for the deaths and more than nine (9) months delay in the repatriation of the bodies of our fallen compatriots, or for the fact that when these bodies eventually returned, they were in a state that they could not be touched or viewed as required by our burial practice.

“We will raise our concerns through diplomatic channels with the new administration that will assume office in Nigeria next month.”

In a manner that appears to be a mockery of government’s handling of the insurgency in the country, the statement added that South Africa has been able to bring the xenophobic attack under control and has been receiving support from other African countries.

“Through our interventions, relative calm and order has been restored,” the statement read.

“We are encouraged by the solidarity our country continues to receive from other African countries and the international community.

“We shall also continue to support and not blame the Nigerian government as it battles to deal with Boko Haram that continues to kill many innocent civilians. We hope that the more than 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram will someday be reunited with their families.”


www.thecable.ng/nigerias-reaction-xenophobc-attacks-unfortunate-says-south-africa

Yeye people! Kudos once again to the Nigerian Government for taking this decisive step to show the South African Govt that we indeed mean business.

The impunity with which a lot of these foreign countries just think they can run rough-shod over us is crazy!


**Meanwhile, I usually wouldn't say this but, first to comment ain't bad hun **

The lawmakers were at the top of the fight because the presidency kept mute on the issue as usual. While I agree with the decision of the Nigerian government to recall its ambassador, I feel the lack of real action on the part of South Africa is a reflection of their level of disrespect for Nigeria and its outgoing executive leadership at the moment. See guts, they even made it indirectly clear they have no business with the outgoing president. President Jonathan really brought disdain to this country, South Africa will not insult us like this on a very good day..

This one is STRONG

They think Jona no handle am well . Wait for Buhari who's more zealous when it comes to national pride and dignity.. Remember when he seized a UK bound plane...

I actually support Jonathan's actions. These South Africans are a bunch of fools

OK na .. The "weak" one don show them shege ..

..They shouldn't forget that he is still in charge.

Really!!! Am sure Buhari Will show them how to deal with diplomatic treaties

S.A nor even dey fear us,the giant of Africa.Make dem nor let us come use military force capture that country o.

If this news is true..then it's very insulting not to Jonathan alone but to Nigeria as a whole..Cuz whether they like it or not Jonathan is the one we chose to represent us and shunning president Jonathan means shunning Nigeria and that is unacceptable

I think Buhari should also refuse to discuss with them

hmmm

So its because of an accident that they are openly killing our people

It is so unfortunate that I am not at the helm of affairs, it would have sprung a war

RU331SH

Funny South Africa! How do Synagogue building collapse and xenophobia compare? They haven't seen anything yet.

Insult to this present government of Nigeria

Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

Better that way. We don't want mama piss to talk for GEJ because truth be told, our president is a spineless otuoke fisherman.

Its their choice.

This days GEJ no send anybody message.see as he has been ignoring OBJ

Lie

ok, Everybody is waiting for Buhari

Recalling that it did not take a similar action
when many of its citizens where trapped during
the collapse of a guest house at the Synagogue
Church of All Nations in Lagos, it described the
reaction of the Nigerian government as
“unfortunate and regrettable”.

They do raise a good point....... Those responsible for the unfortunate incident have yet to be bought to justice in Nigeria, despite it all Southafricans never went to that extreme.

The Nigerian government should tread with caution.

Editor1:

Recalling that it did not take a similar action
when many of its citizens where trapped during the collapse of a guest house at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos

.

Editor1:

“We shall also continue to support and not
blame the Nigerian Government as it battles to
deal with Boko Haram that continues to kill
many innocent civilians. We hope that the more than 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram will someday be reunited with their families.”

.
From all I make out,south Africans are indirectly trying to tell us something.

luvmijeje:


They do raise a good point....... Those responsible for the unfortunate incident have yet to be bought to justice in Nigeria, despite it all Southafricans never went to that extreme.

The Nigerian government should tread with caution.

Let's be honest here. Who were trapped? SA blacks. Who controls SA? SA whites.

Now think about that.

All this barrage of insult. Beginning from may 29, the Respect of my country Nigeria will be restored.

luvmijeje:


They do raise a good point....... Those responsible for the unfortunate incident have yet to be bought to justice in Nigeria, despite it all Southafricans never went to that extreme.

The Nigerian government should tread with caution.

While Nigerians wait for closure on the $15 million arms money seized by South African prosecutors, authorities in the two countries appear to have agreed on an unholy barter to exchange bodies of South Africans who died in the Synagogue Church collapse in Nigeria, for South African-made arms needed by Nigeria to fight Boko Haram, The Mail and Guardian, one of South Africa’s most respected newspapers, has reported. South Africa confiscated the money from arms brokers who travelled there to procure arms for the Nigerian military.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/172520-nigeria-south-africa-moved-swap-synagogue-collapse-victims-bodies-arms.html

this is South Africa for you.

SA and their Shaka Zulu mentality. A public figure makes a statement that leads to racial profiling and the SA govt cannot take a decisive action. Mind you this is not the first time they are displaying their barbaric acts.

why cry now, when we where the same people who started the insults to the president and presidency. so if some bunch of people outside feel the same way then its our fault. we neva respected him at first.

That's an insult to our collective reasoning..

Either GEJ,or GMB,SA reaction is an insult to Nigerian as a whole.

Wish our govt had been proactive with this issue,by now,SA would have known how to deal with us with Respect.

ozoigbondu:

area!!

Metrofox:
They think Jona no handle am well . Wait for Buhari who's more zealous when it comes to national pride and dignity.. Remember when he seized a UK bound plane...

They know Buhari will be easier on them cause they literally helped him win the election in the first place. By the way, a month is enough for Nigerians to forgive and forget any wrong done (even without apology or restitution), its in our nature.