…..Says Nigeria has introduced claims process on verified losses, pushes for compensation

…..As 1490 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa, more to be evacuated

The federal government has explained that it is prioritising diplomacy in responding to the recent South Africa’s Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians

The government however, added that it has not dropped other options aimed at protecting Nigerian citizens and their interests, especially those outside the country

Sola Enikanolaiye, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, states this while fielding questions from State House Journalists, after briefing President Bola Tinubu, on the outcome of his meeting with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.

Lamola had visited Nigeria as a special envoy of President Cyril Ramaphosa following the attacks that reportedly claimed the lives of some citizens and destroyed properties belonging to many others.

President Tinubu endorsed the government’s diplomatic approach, as part of the sustained engagement with the South African authorities.

The President believes African nations must work collectively to end the recurring attacks on Africans in South Africa, adding that Tinubu’s cordial relationship with President Cyril Ramaphosa would be leveraged to pursue a lasting diplomatic solution to the killings and destruction of property.

Nigeria differed with South Africa’s characterisation of the violence, maintaining that the attacks were specifically directed at fellow Africans.

The Nigerian government believes that the incidents should be more accurately described as Afrophobic attacks rather than xenophobic violence.

This is as the government had also affirmed that it would not hesitate to explore other appropriate measures if ongoing negotiations fail to guarantee the safety, protection and justice due to Nigerians residing in South Africa.

“I reported to the President, as I told the envoy yesterday, that Nigeria has options, and the President agrees with me. There are options. We are not helpless in this situation.

“All options are still on the table. We will prefer diplomacy and negotiations to continue until we can arrive at a mutually acceptable outcome that will protect Nigerian citizens, their lives and property in South Africa”, the minister said.

The Minister also stressed that every Nigerian, irrespective of immigration status, is entitled to the protection of the law, maintaining that the right to life is a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed without exception.

“Whether they are regular or irregular, they are human beings, and we made that very clear. Criminals also have a right to life. You cannot say because they are criminals and begin to hound and kill them. We made that very clear, and South Africa agreed with that position”, he said.
President Tinubu who had reportedly declined to meet with the South African envoy, assigned the Minister of State to receive and engage the South African envoy

Enikanolaiye revealed that both countries agreed on amongst others, the need for the immediate activation of the Nigeria-South Africa Early Warning Mechanism and the Bi-National Commission to address the crisis more effectively, as part of efforts to sustain diplomatic relations

“I gave the President specific details of the commitments we were able to secure from the South Africans, including the need to quickly activate the Early Warning Mechanism, which Mr President mentioned specifically, as well as the Bi-National Commission between our two countries”,

He disclosed that about 1,490 citizens have been successfully evacuated from South Africa back to Nigeria, in the wake of recent attacks

According to him ” two evacuation batches were funded by private individuals, while efforts are underway to secure additional resources for those still seeking to return home.”

On compensation for properties lost during the attacks, Enikanolaye said the matter would be addressed through ongoing engagements with the South African government, disclosing that Nigeria had introduced a claims process to document verified losses and support negotiations.

“We have designed a form to be filled by all Nigerians who may have lost property in South Africa because we want to proceed on the basis of data and the actual contour of losses they have suffered.

“Our engagement with South Africa is ongoing. It is not a one-off event. Yesterday was a continuation, and we intend to continue meeting. We will then table those claims and explore options for compensation”, he said.