President Muhammadu Buhari and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, have vowed to put in place all measures needed to prevent a reoccurrence of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa
This was contained in a joint communique issued by both leaders at the end of their meeting on Thursday in Pretoria, South Africa.
At the meeting, President Ramaphosa briefed the Nigerian President on the recent incidents of violence affecting foreign nationals living in his country.
He also acknowledged that the attacks on foreigners were not consistent with the values and principles underpinning the country’s constitutional democracy.
The South African leader, however, dispelled the notion that incidents of violence affecting foreign nationals were targeted at Nigerian nationals, saying other foreign nationals and South Africans were also affected.
He assured President Buhari that the South African government was fully in control of the situation and several interventions, including engagements with the diplomatic community and others, were underway.
On his part, President Buhari who condemned the attacks on Nigerians expressed profound gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation.
He also invited his South African counterpart to pay a reciprocal visit to Nigeria on a date to be jointly agreed and communicated through diplomatic channels.
