The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, has reacted to Xenophobia attacks in South Africa that have led to the lives of some Nigerians, describing the country as having the highest crime rate in Africa.
Onyeama stated this on Wednesday when he featured as a guest on Sunrise Daily, aired on Channels Television.
“The crime situation in South Africa is very high, probably the highest in Africa,” he said. “So there is a high level of crime, it is not just that Nigerians are victims of crime in South Africa.”
According to the Minister, the level of Xenophobia attacks in South Africa is unacceptably high.
He however explained that his earlier meeting with officials of the country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and called for enhanced collaboration.
The mutual agreement, he stated, was for Nigeria to be alerted in the wake of suspected attacks on Nigerians that will prompt an early response from both authorities.
Onyeama further blamed the Xenophobia attacks on trust deficit between the Nigerian Union of South Africa and the South African police.
He added, “I noticed there was a trust deficit between the Nigerian Union of South Africa and the police, if there was a greater cooperation between the two, it could play an important role.
“The level of Xenophobia in South Africa is considerable high. I went to South Africa and met with their Foreign Affairs Minister at the time, as well as the person in charge of the Home Affairs.
“What I proposed to them is that we should have early warning system. Unfortunately, it is taking a bit longer to agree on the Memorandum of Understanding and sign off on it.”
Onyeama, worried by the situation, reiterated the Federal Government’s position to resolving the issue through regular consultations with the South African Government.
