The crisis between the two African countries is escalating. It has been practically impossible to miss the screaming headlines circulating in the media lately.
“Xenophobic attacks”, “hate speech”, “violence”… Even tips started emerging on various websites regarding how a Nigerian can protect himself/herself while travelling to South Africa.
How has it turned out that South Africa has in several days become a dangerous place for a Nigerian?..
All the things you need know about the current conflict.
1. It’s not specifically about Nigerians
Credits: BBC
The saga apparently started with the speech by King Goodwill Zwelithini who last month said that foreigners must pack up and leave the country. Soon reports about attacks by locals on immigrants broke out.
Ten Nigerians were said to be among those attacked.
The king, whose so-called “hate speech” is believed to have incited violence, blamed the media for misinterpreting his words. But it did not help to solve either the international diplomatic conflict, nor the violence on the local level.
2. Africans get shocked, launch protests against the barbaric killings
Credits: BBC
Nearly 5,000 people joined a rally condemning xenophobia in South Africa’s Durban city after attacks on foreigners in SA.
3. The Nigerian officials react immediately
Credits: BBC
The House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to “rise up to the occasion by having contingency plans to evacuate Nigerians within 24 hours to avoid us losing our citizens to these attacks”.
4. …and address President Goodluck Jonathan
Credits: AFP
Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chief of the House Committee on Diaspora Matters, lamented over the development saying that Nigeria should not tolerate it. The official called on GEJ to recall Nigeria’s high commissioner from South Africa.
5. Even Boko Haram terrorists allegedly react
Credits: International Business Times
Those, who kill thousands of Nigerians every year, were said to have issued a warning to South Africa. The dreaded sect gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Pretoria to stop the massacres or face bombings from them.
6. Meanwhile Senator Musiliu Obanikoro says no Nigerians have been killed
Credits: AP
Referring to the information provided by the Mission in South Africa, the Minister of State II for Foreign Affairs insisted that “no Nigerian casualty has been ascertained”.
7. Ripe theories and versions amid crisis
Credits: AFP
The legacy of the apartheid era in South Africa when the immigrants were not welcome in the country is believed to be one of the reasons for hatred.
But most importantly, it it about the poor economic situation and unemployment which cause the violence.
8. Unless the attacks stop…
Credits: AFP
Ambassador Aminu Wali, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Federal Government would evacuate Nigerian residents in South Africa if the xenophobic attacks got worse.
As the problem remains still unresolved, it is not clear what further development of the situation should be expected. Hopefully, the effective solution will be found before more innocent people become victims of the lingering crisis.
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