Following Nigeria’s outcry over xenophobic attacks on its citizens in South African, the Southern African President, Jacob Zuma has spoken with President Goodluck Jonathan detailing the condition of Nigerians residing in South Africa.
Both Zuma and Jonathan agreed that the two countries must maintain their lasting mutual relationship.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the government of South Africa, President Zuma, in a telephone conversation with his Nigerian counterpart stressed on the need to avert any diplomatic row the recent attacks on some Nigerians and their businesses may create between the two giant countries.
The statement reads, “The two Presidents reaffirmed the warm and cordial relations between South Africa and Nigeria and pledged that the two countries will continue to work together for the good of their peoples and the continent as a whole.
“President Jonathan expressed his support for the efforts of South Africa to arrest the attacks on foreign nationals and to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, including foreign nationals and those from the African continent in particular, who bore the brunt of the attacks earlier this month (April).”
Zuma in the conversation confirmed that he would attend the inauguration of the President-elect of Nigeria, Maj. Gen Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan is expected to handover to Gen. Buhari on May 29 following his defeat in the nation’s presidential election.
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