President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday called for the protection of Nigerian living in South Africa.
Buhari who is presently in South Africa for a visit made the called while having an interactive discussion with South Africa President.
President Buhari also condemned the recent xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg, the capital city of South Africa’s that resulted the looting of shops owned by foreign nationals, in the country.
He called on South Africa president to put measures in place in other to prevent the re-occurrence of the attacks.
Buhari said, “Mr President, we have condemned in strongest terms attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa, including the looting of their shops and businesses and burning of their properties.
“We call for the strengthening and the implementation of all the necessary measures to prevent the reoccurrence of such actions,”
Responding to Buhari, President Cyril Ramaphosa apologised repeatedly over the attacks, saying that his government’s “deep regret at the incidents of public violence.”
“Some of the acts of violence were directed at foreign nationals and some of whom coming from your own country.
“We firmly condemn all forms of intolerance and will not hesitate to act against criminal acts and violence,” he said.
Buhari and his counterpart Ramaphosa later went into long-planned talks aimed at bolstering trade ties and political cooperation to boost their economies.
The three-day state visit, by Buhari to South Africa is the first by a Nigerian leader since 2013, had been planned before the wave of violence.
A “town hall meeting” between Buhari and Nigerians living in South Africa is scheduled for Friday to listen to the expats’ experience and showcase efforts to support them.
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