South Africa Moves to Mend Fences With Nigeria

In a bid to mend fences with Nigeria and other African countries whose nationals were affected by recent xenophobic attacks, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded plans to send special envoys to President Muhammadu Buhari and his counterparts from six other countries.

Top officials of the South African government revealed that the special envoys would deliver messages of solidarity to several heads of state and governments across Africa amid tensions and violence in the country.

In a statement issued yesterday by South African government, its spokesperson, Khusela Diko, said: "The special envoys will deliver a message from President Ramaphosa regarding the incidents of violence that recently erupted in some parts of South Africa, which have manifested in attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of property."

Giko said that the special envoys were tasked with "reassuring fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity."

Members of the team of special envoys include Jeff Radebe, Ambassador Kingsley Mmabolo, and Dr Khulu Mbatha, who are expected to visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.

Xenophobic attacks broke out in recent weeks in South Africa after a taxi driver was killed by an alleged drug dealer in Pretoria.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa was jeered at the funeral of the late Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe, at the weekend. He apologised for the attacks in his country.

The envoys will reassure fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity, Diko said.

They will also reaffirm South Africa's commitment to the rule of law.

They will brief governments in the identified African countries about the steps that the South African government is taking to bring a stop to the attacks and to hold the perpetrators to account.

At least 12 people, including 10 South Africans and two foreigners, have been killed in the spate of such violence.

South Africa is host to some 274,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from African countries, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Xenophobia-related attacks are common in South Africa, where foreigners are blamed for taking up employments meant for locals.

source:newsnow