Tinubu declines meeting with S’African envoy, directs delegation to foreign affairs minister

President Bola Tinubu has declined to personally meet with a special delegation sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who were in Abuja to discuss the ongoing xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa. Instead of granting an audience with the President, the delegation was instructed to engage with Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.

“

But when Monday came, he simply said they should go and meet the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Enikanolaiye, and whatever they discuss, the Minister would come and brief him.

The South African delegation, led by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday and had sought a meeting with President Tinubu. However, after initially agreeing to a Monday meeting, Tinubu opted to have them meet with Enikanolaiye, who would then brief him on the discussions. This decision comes at a critical juncture in diplomatic relations between the two nations, strained by renewed xenophobic violence that has led to the evacuation of nearly 600 Nigerians.

Presidency sources indicated that the President's decision was made after considering the ongoing nature of the attacks. One source stated, "He said they should go and meet the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Enikanolaiye, and whatever they discuss, the Minister would come and brief him." Another official confirmed, "I just confirmed it. He is not seeing them. The meeting is not happening."

“

I just confirmed it. He is not seeing them. The meeting is not happening.

Sources also suggested that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, currently attending engagements in Addis Ababa, had advised against the President personally receiving the delegation while attacks on Nigerians and their businesses persist. Upon meeting with the South African envoys, Minister Enikanolaiye stressed the importance of resolving the crisis, stating, "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had actually asked us to meet with you and exchange views and perspectives on how to address and resolve the ongoing Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, of which Nigerians, and other citizens of Africa, have been victims." He lamented the recurring nature of these attacks, which have plagued Nigerians for decades.

“

It is with profound pleasure that I welcome our brothers from South Africa. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had actually asked us to meet with you and exchange views and perspectives on how to address and resolve the ongoing Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, of which Nigerians, and other citizens of Africa, have been victims.