By Sunday Ameh
The Federal Government has warned that it may take stronger measures against South Africa if attacks and intimidation of Nigerians continue, saying diplomatic engagements should not be mistaken for weakness.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, gave the warning on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.
According to him, although Nigeria remains committed to diplomacy because Africa remains the centrepiece of its foreign policy, the government has begun considering tougher responses if the South African authorities fail to halt the attacks.
“We have put the South African government on notice that if this trend continues, definitely Nigeria will do something more drastic,” he said.
Ebienfa added that while the government was not prepared to disclose the specific measures under consideration, Nigerians would be satisfied with the response should diplomatic efforts fail.
“There are concerns that we have not done enough, but that is not true. It is a matter of strategy. We are engaging them at the highest level. If we are not satisfied with the reaction from the South African government, Nigerians will see what we are going to do as a people that they will be proud of,” he said.
The ministry’s spokesman also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that no Nigerian willing to return home should be abandoned in South Africa amid the ongoing wave of anti-foreigner protests.
He said the Federal Government had approved five evacuation flights, out of which three had already been completed, while the fourth flight was delayed due to technical issues involving the aircraft deployed by Air Peace.
“So far, we have evacuated 859 Nigerians from South Africa,” he said, adding that additional flights would be approved if necessary.
According to him, the evacuation exercise is entirely free, stressing that the Federal Government has fully funded all approved flights.
“It is purely free of charge at no cost to any of our nationals in South Africa. All the five flights have been paid for by the Federal Government,” he said.
Ebienfa also revealed that the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria had provided temporary accommodation and welfare support for displaced Nigerians awaiting evacuation, while a private Nigerian sponsored the return of 66 citizens through commercial flights.
He said the Federal Government had commenced documentation of businesses abandoned by Nigerians fleeing South Africa and would seek compensation from the South African government.
“If you are leaving legally established businesses because your life is under threat, definitely the Nigerian government will request compensation,” he said.
The spokesman further disclosed that Nigeria had called for the xenophobic attacks to be discussed at the African Union, warning that failure to address the situation collectively could encourage similar incidents in other African countries.
“There has been a general call by all countries affected by the protest that the matter should be discussed at the African Union level,” he said.
Ebienfa also announced that the ministry was considering reforms that would require Nigerians travelling abroad for employment to register with relevant government agencies before departure.
He said the proposed policy would enable Nigerian missions overseas to better monitor and protect citizens, particularly those travelling for work, while helping to prevent exploitation and human trafficking.
According to him, the ministry is also reviewing the welfare of Nigerians facing hardship in countries such as Kuwait and Ethiopia and exploring agreements that would allow convicted Nigerians abroad to serve their prison terms in Nigeria.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue strengthening consular support and protecting citizens wherever they reside.
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