A Non-governmental organisation, Advocacy for Advancement of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative(ADAPHAI) has warned South African government over its silence on the xenophobic attacks in the country against Nigerians, calling for a swift action to stop the menace.
The organisation, through its Executive Director, Mr Ajibola Owolabi on Tuesday said the ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in the Southern African country was unacceptable, and that the silence of the government was too dangerous to be ignored.
According to him, “the action is divisive and barbaric,” adding that the development completely defies the spirit of Africanism and a total negation of the tenets of African Charter on Peoples Rights.
Owolabi explained that such hostility against foreigners without a decisive action on the part of the government portrays the government of that country as an accomplice in the atrocity.
He called for quick intervention of international and regional bodies to stem the tide of this violence and restore peace.
“The serial attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa over the last few weeks is strictly unacceptable, more so when the government of that country continues to keep mute over the violent act.
” It is indeed an irony of sort that South Africans, who enjoyed massive supports and assistance from Nigeria during the dark days of apartheid could turn back to oppress Nigerians on their soil.
“Obviously, there is no basis for such inhumane treatment against Nigerian Nationals in South Africa, if there are issues to be sorted out with any Nigerian, it should be done legally without resorting to violence and callous act.
” We frown at this barbaric act, and call on both regional and international bodies to intervene as a matter of exigency,” Owolabi resorted.
The organisation, however, appealed to Nigerian government to rise up and protect Nigerians in South Africa, while enjoining Nigerians to be calm and never take the law into their hands.
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