The South African Acting High
Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, on Thursday confirmed the closure of the
country’s missions in Nigeria.
Ms Moroe told News Agency of
Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday that the closure was sequel to the directive from
his country’s government.
The envoy said she had
subsequently directed the Abuja and Lagos offices of the mission to suspend all
consular activities until the situation improved.
The acting head of mission said
that the closure was necessitated by fear of attack by some Nigerian youths.
The South African Government had
in a statement by Naledi Pandor, the Minister of the Department of
International Relation and Cooperation, on Thursday announced the closure of
its Nigerian mission.
Ms Pandor expressed
disappointment over the decision to support the closure of the South African
High Commission in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos.
She said both offices were closed
following concerns reported to the minister by officials working in those
places.
Ms Pandor said the closure
“followed the receipt of threats against mission staff as well as the property
of South Africa’’.
“After extensive consultations
with relevant stakeholders as well as a security assessment of threats, the
mission and the department took the decision to close the offices.
“At this point, there has been no
direct physical threat to any of our diplomats and citizens.
“However, we view their safety as
a priority and have thus taken the precautionary measure of closing while the
situation remains somewhat unpredictable.’’
The official expressed
displeasure at misleading reports circulating on social media about a direct
physical attack on the acting head of mission.
She described the reports as
totally false.
“Our acting head of mission is in
constant communication with the department and with the authorities in Nigeria,
who are providing extra security at South African offices.
“The department has received
reports of marches by demonstrators to South African companies as well as
attempts to attack them.
“We are communicating with
businesses that have branches in Nigeria and have requested their senior
managers to remain in close contact with the department and the ministry,” she
said.
She said tradition in foreign
policy provides that diplomatic missions enjoy protection from host countries
but added that the department remained perturbed at threats directed at the
mission.
“We are grateful to note that the
security forces and the government of Nigeria are upholding this
long-established practice of foreign policy.
She, further, confirmed directive
to the mission that links be encouraged between the youth of South Africa and
Nigeria and that the Nigerian students’ association visit South Africa.
She said that several meetings
with students’ organisation were held at the mission and that a committee had
been established to sustain their dialogue and work towards the proposed visit.
Ms Pandor said the department and
the ministry would remain in constant contact, continue to assess the situation
on ground and provide feedback as new information was made available.
She, however, said that the
ministry planned to meet the African Heads of Mission to South Africa next
week. (NAN)
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