Group urges strategic diplomatic measures to quell xenophobic attacks

By Usman Shuaibu

The Global Centre for Humanitarian Services Peace and Development has called on the Federal Government to seek lasting solutions to the frequent xenophobic attack on Nigerian in South Africa.
The call was made at the end of a week-long capacity building workshop on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution organized by the center for selected youth leaders and representative of youth led organizations in the federal capital territory, Abuja.
The president- Mr. Collins Ogokeh- Green on behalf of the GLOHSPED condemned the act describing it as disheartening and barbaric.
He stated that it is unfortunate that the rainbow nation has forgotten the support and the lead role played by Nigeria government and other African nations in the quest for its freedom from apartheid regime.
“More worrisome is the justification of the heinous act by the South Africa Deputy Minister of Police- Bongan Michael Mkongi via a video (on air) describing the incidence as a fight to secure the future of his country and called for a country debate on the occupation of the country by foreign national.
“ His statement and that of other government officials in addition to the posture and inability of the South African government to address the incessant attack resulted in reprisals by Nigerians.
“The wide condemnation, protest and attack/ averted attack by Nigerian youths on South African business and facilities in some cities in Nigeria would have been avoided if South African government has taken decisive step to address the situation in the past.”
To this end, the group called on African Union, international community and human rights organizations to sanction South African government for the continued brutal, heartless and senseless act of aggression.
It also called on the federal government on the interim to severe all diplomatic and bilateral relations with South Africa till adequate security and compensation measures for affected victims are in place.
Mr Collins Ogokeh-Green stated that preventing recurrence of violence of this magnitude is possible when genuine peace building initiatives that address the underlying structural and societal issues are in place.