Nigerians warn SA

XENOPHOBIA COULD DESTABILISE CONTINENT

The National Association of Liberated Tigers (Nalt) in Nigeria is appealing to African leaders to urgently find ways to stop the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The association’s director of communications, Paschal Okeoma, said in Enugu yesterday the attacks could destabilise the continent if left unchecked.

“This further undermines the position of our continent as the new investment destination of the world and the emerging global power block.

“As one of the largest economies in the continent, the spate of xenophobic attacks will have direct consequences, not only on the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, but the entire integration agenda of the Africa Union,” he said.

Nalt, a civil society organisation of more than 10 000 Nigerian citizens from different disciplines across the globe, condemned the recent events in South Africa in which locals targeted foreigners, including many Nigerians.

“This sad turn of events is a departure from the continent’s ongoing re-visioning of African integration as a panacea for African solutions to African problems.”

“Nalt warns that if these incidences continue unabated, there could be reprisal attacks, with the tendency to destabilise the entire continent and further divide, rather than unite, us as a people,” he stated.

The association called on the South African government and other voices of reason in Africa to use their authority to intervene in the matter to mitigate the spread of this action and likely reactions.

“We therefore welcome the efforts of religious leaders and other well-meaning actors in the continent who are trying to end the needless attacks and ask all and sundry to follow suit.” – ANA