Adewale Sanyaolu

In the wake of renewed attacks on African nationalities, especially Nigerians living in South Africa, the Neo Black Movement of Africa Worldwide (NBM) has called for an independent panel of judicial
enquiry.

A statement by NBM National President, Engr. Felix Kupa, explained that, part of the terms of reference of the panel would be to uncover the immediate and remote causes of the act, investigate same, and bring the perpetrators to justice. The group noted that over the years, African countries stood by the South Africans dating back to the days of the apartheid regime in the country. Kupa added that these inhumane attacks are totally condemnable and against the spirit and ideologies of Africanism and against the various socio- cultural, economic and political treaties that exist amongst African countries.

“NBM as an Afrocentric, socio-cultural and non-governmental organisation was established on the basic tenets of social justice, equality, fairness and the total liberation of the black race from white supremacy and racial discrimination. It was on this premise that Africans stood out to engage the white dominated apartheid government then in South Africa and carried the country on the path that led to Uhuru and eliminated racial discrimination and white dominance in the
country.”

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He emphasised that NBM calls on the government of South Africa, the Nigerian government and other world powers to as a matter of urgency, rise up to their collective task and responsibility of protecting the
lives, properties and investments of Nigerians as well as all persons living in any part of Africa.
Kupa while condoling with the Nigerian people whose eyes may have been soaked with tears, admonished them to sheath their swords of violence and retaliation.

He therefore called on the African Union(AU) and all other regional bodies to rise up and address the ugly situation in order to prevent a reprisal which would help forestall the escalation of the crisis. NBM had in 2015, carried out a peaceful protest march to the South African embassy in Lagos to create awareness about the act of human rights violation or ill-treatment, both locally and globally, meted out to fellow Africans.

As part of the protest march, several demands were made, which included; the protection for both the lives and properties of foreigners and Africans living in South Africa and non-violation of human rights, provision of amenities for displaced persons, adequate compensation for victims of xenophobia and allowing the law to deal
with offenders, among others.