Nigeria withdraws from Economic Forum in South Africa

Nigeria has withdrawn from the World Economic Forum holding in South Africa, saying that it would take “definitive measures” on the xenophobic attacks on her citizens in the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide, Bashir Ahmad said on Wednesday. “Nigerian government has boycotted the World Economic Forum holding in Cape Town, South Africa, Some individuals from Nigeria including a former Minister are attending on their own.”

South Africa’s police minister and high commissioner to Nigeria said the attacks on foreign nationals were acts of criminality, President Cyril Ramaphosa told business leaders on the sidelines of WEF in Cape Town that South Africa must quell attacks on foreigners.

“Taking action against people from other nations is not justified and should never be allowed in our beautiful country. … We need to quell those incidents of unrest,” Ramaphosa emphasized .

Nigeria’s initial warm reactions to the latest waves of attacks offended a large percentage of Nigeria’s youthful population, with many calling for the government to send a strong message to South Africa.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to meet Ramaphosa in October. But he planned on sending a special to the country to discuss the attacks on her citizens. Yet the boycott of WEF indicates a new trend in dealing with the country.

The president has recalled Nigeria’s Ambassador, Kabiru Bala, back to the country on Wednesday. He also held a meeting with Osinbajo and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, at the State House in Abuja to discuss Nigeria’s diplomatic approach towards the situation.

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