Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has finally reacted to xenophobic
attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Obasanjo in a letter written to the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party,
in South Africa, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, urged Nigerians and others
African countries whose citizens were affected by xenophobic attacks to report
to the African Union.
The former president further described xenophobic attacks on foreigners by
South Africans as a great disservice to Africa.
Obasanjo called for urgent reconciliation between the countries affected
and South Africa, adding that repatriation and revenge was not the best
solution.
“As a suggestion, South Africa
should send emissaries to the countries concerned to explain, apologise and
agree on the way forward for mutual understanding, accommodation,
reconciliation, and binding the wound to promote unity, concord, and
brotherhood in Africa.
Nigeria and South Africa and indeed Africa well particularly in this era of
Africa Continental Free Trade Area opportunities must stand together to
champion African cause and to jointly shepherd African development, unity,
cooperation, security, and progress to make the 21st century Africa’s century.”
