From Iheanacho Nwosu, Abuja
Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, who was in South Africa last week over the recent Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians shares his experience, insisting that dialogue with the South African authorities remain a more effective tool to checking attacks and harassment of Nigerians .
Are you satisfied with the outcome of your visit to South Africa?
Yes I am satisfied. In fact, it has been a very successful trip in many ways. We wanted to leave South Africa with something concrete and assurance from the South African government on the safety of Nigerians. We wanted to get their commitment that Nigerians would no longer be victims of xenophobic attacks in the future. However, we succeeded in lubricating the relationship between Nigerians resident in South Africa and the South African government by agreeing to set up Early Warning Unit . This would enable them have direct access to key senior South African government officials in case of threat to security of their lives and properties. We deliberately proposed that because we believe it would address certain issues. First among the issues were that it would enable the Nigerian community to be able to get their voices directly to the South African government. It will be a forum for the agencies of both governments to interact and discuss common issues that concern the welfare and development of their citizens. In the said meeting, the representatives of the security agencies of both countries are key government officials , the Consulate would be duly represented and other relevant stakeholders would also be members. The forum would provide opportunity for main stakeholders to meet regularly to dissect issues, share intelligence, Information, and take preventive measures when necessary. That meeting would be a game changer particularly in preventing the act of criminality in future.
What is the level of commitment from the South African government towards the security of lives and properties of foreigners living there ?
Their commitment is reflected in the success of the meeting. We have agreed to establish Early Warning Signs Committee to regularly meet to discuss issue of security and welfare of both citizens. Officials of the foreign affairs of both countries have been assigned some roles particularly in responding to early warning signals. Police and home affairs department have also endorsed the communique and they are ready to implement it to the fullest. Nigerian community in South Africa was part of the meeting and their host government have promised to put a stop to this inhuman treatment of foreigners in South Africa.
What if the arrangement fails, what would be the next line of action?
We are very much optimistic that the dialogue would not fail because they have sincerely engaged us. They have set up mechanism and there is a road map that we both agreed to pursue.
Are there plans to compensate victims of the xenophobic attack?
Yes there are plans but they must pass through the legal channels. However, Nigerian community has been directed to make their documentations and present it to the Early Warning Unit of the South African government and agree on the legal procedure to be followed to resolve it. We expect the South African government to fast track the legal process in order to compensate victims of this attack.
When is the Early Warning Committee expected to start meeting ?
I have asked the High Commissioner to immediately begin the process of holding the first meeting. I was very careful not to identify focal points but the High Commissioner would run the focal point on the Nigerian side while the Director for Africa in the South African government would run that of his country. The summary is that the High Commissioner has been directed to begin the process to holding the first meeting.
You have held meetings with the South African government and Nigerian community , what message are you taking back to the President, Muhammadu Buhari?
It would be a good message which is that we have agreed to establish a mechanism that would prevent future xenophobic attacks particularly on Nigerians. We would inform the President that a joint mechanism has been established and the South African government is fully committed to the mechanism.
Were you disappointed when a Nigerian expressed displeasure with Nigeria’s seeming soft disposition towards South Africa despite the consistent attacks on her nationals ?
I was disappointed the way he communicated it. I think it was disrespectful and I think he was unnecessarily emotional and not factual. I was disappointed and I had to make it clear when I took the floor. I also found out that he was totally ill informed. So majority of the people at the gathering appreciated and agreed when I put out the fact.
Some are of the opinion that the change promised by this administration has largely remained in the realm of fantasies ,thus forcing more Nigerians to leave the country. Why has it been so?
That is the intention of this government and Mr. President is fully committed to that. We have had the problem of bad leadership in the past. But we now have a committed government that is determined to make a lasting change. But as you know, it is a gradual process. It might take long time but with the commitment and leadership style of the President, we would get there. We are putting solid and sustainable foundation for infrastructural, human and social development. What we have now is a departure from the past where we had leaders that are interested in self gains and never had sufficient national outlook. This is what we are trying to reverse. We are thinking long term and laying good foundation.
What is you reaction to the criticism of your ministry being too slow in responding to the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa ?
It is unfortunate that sometimes the media exaggerate issues. The belief that the ministry was slow in action wasn’t true. The ministry did what it ought to do within the diplomatic law, by first summoning the High Commissioner to that country. That is the first point of contact with another country. We didn’t do what you and other Nigerians expected by going to the media to condemn the actions of the South Africans because we believe that it would make no difference. What made the difference was an engagement with the concerned government. And we did that. We summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria and we told him that we are concerned about the attacks on Nigerians. I told him that I want to visit his country. He contacted his government and a date was fixed and that is why we went there . Diplomacy is not a beauty contest. In diplomacy, you don’t go out and shout in the media because that could be counter-productive in whatever you are pursuing. You can see the reception we got in South Africa . That was because the needful was done, diplomatic wise.
Don’t you think that not talking tough about the attacks created the impression that Nigeria is weak?
Talking tough could mean different thing. I don’t think going to the media to shout is talking tough. What talking tough means diplomatically is going to country in question and discuss whatever the issue might be and resolve it amicably. That was what we did. We summoned the South African High Commissioner and we presented our case to him forcefully and they understood our concerns and acted promptly.
Beyond South Africa, are you concerned about other countries where Nigerians are subjected to some inhuman treatment?
Most of the complaints we get from Nigerians resident in other countries bother on visas and passport. However, measures are on ground to tackle them. We regularly remind our embassies abroad to always serve and protect the interest of Nigerians in their countries. Remember that the Consulates are manned by Immigration staff and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There’s no doubt that there are countries where Nigerians are faced with execution verdict for one reason or the other, we have made presentations for some other punishment options instead of outright execution. For instance in Italy, we intervened in a case of a Nigerian who was killed. We made our feelings known to the Italian government and they took appropriate action. There is need for constructive engagement with the country in question for you to achieve the result that you need. That, to me is not a sign of weakness.