Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has accused South Africans of misrepresenting the status of Nigerians living in the country, rejecting claims that many Nigerians in South Africa are illegal migrants.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Ojukwu said Nigerians affected by recent unrest were legitimate residents and business owners whose livelihoods had been destroyed as diplomatic tensions escalated over renewed anti-migrant violence.
“You are liars. Our citizens are in peril. They are in distress, so they cannot be said to be illegal migrants,” she said.
The minister said Nigerian-owned shops had been looted and burnt, while some Nigerian children were reportedly prevented from attending school.
“People who are doing legitimate business have their shops looted, they have their shops set on fire,” she added.
The comments come amid fresh anti-foreigner protests in parts of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban, where some local groups have blamed migrants for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.
Nigeria has repeatedly been among the countries most affected by periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
Ojukwu expressed disappointment at what she described as the treatment of Nigerians despite Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle.
She cited Nigeria’s financial contributions to the liberation movement, scholarships for South African students, and international advocacy against...
The Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana has rejected claims that former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, was shot during an incident at the church’s property at Kwabenya, describing...