Nigeria's President Snubs South African Envoys Amid Xenophobia Crisis

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has seemingly rebuffed an attempt by South Africa to address the persistent xenophobic violence against Nigerians. Envoys, including South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Nigeria on Friday, July 24, but were reportedly kept waiting throughout the weekend without meeting Tinubu.

On Monday, the delegation was directed to meet with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, who would then brief the President. The substantive Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odimegwu-Ojukwu, is abroad. The Nigerian presidency's explanation for Tinubu's unavailability was a lack of prior notice, a statement the article suggests may be a diplomatic cover for expressing displeasure.

Ambassador Enikanolaiye acknowledged the disturbing pattern of attacks on Nigerians in South Africa over two decades, noting that even Nigerians with legitimate reasons to be in the country have been targeted. He stated that these xenophobic acts have moved beyond targeting criminals, impacting individuals who have historically supported South Africa's liberation from apartheid.

The author frames Tinubu's refusal to meet the envoys as a sophisticated diplomatic maneuver and an appropriate response to the ongoing crisis. The article praises the Nigerian President for "standing up for his own countrymen" and sending a message that such diplomatic overtures require proper notice and respect. It concludes by emphasizing that "Nigerian lives matter at home and abroad" and advocating for citizen diplomacy to be central to Nigeria's foreign policy.

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What we have found is that this xenophobic act has gone beyond the attack on criminals. We have records of Nigerians who have a legitimate purpose to remain in South Africa, yet they have been attacked.