Nigeria’s ambassador in Pretoria, and the consul general in Johannesburg, will return to Nigeria for consultations.
A Nigerian government statement noted that some South Africans had organised peace marches and that President Jacob Zuma had condemned the attacks.
Nigerian legislators have called for the South African government to pay damages and a Nigerian rights group has complained to the International Criminal Court.
The South African government, calling the Nigerian government’s action “an unfortunate and regrettable step”, said it and a wide range of civic organisations had been “decisive and unequivocal in condemning and rejecting the attacks on foreign nationals”.
Al Jazeera reported that the statement by South Africa’s Department of International Cooperation and Cooperation went on to deride the Nigerian government over its inability to rein in the Boko Haram insurgency in the north of its country.
It also pointed out that South Africa did not blame the Nigerian government for mishandling the aftermath of the collapse of a church building last year, which left 84 South Africans dead.
AP
Related story: South Africa closes consulate in Lagos, Nigeria after anti-xenophobia protests
Monday, April 27, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Nigeria summons South African ambassador over xenophobic attacks
Nigeria's foreign ministry has summoned South Africa's high commissioner over anti-immigrant violence in which at least seven people have been killed, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
South Africa deployed soldiers on Tuesday to try to quell the unrest after being criticized by governments including China and Zimbabwe for failing to protect foreigners from armed mobs.
"The essence of the summon was to register Nigeria's protest over the on-going xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans in South Africa," the ministry said, adding that the meeting had happened on Monday.
It also called on the South African authorities to quell the unrest and bring those involved to book.
On Tuesday, four men aged between 18 and 22 were charged with the murder and robbery of a Mozambican man, Emmanuel Sithole, whose death was captured by a newspaper photographer and plastered across the front pages, shocking the nation.
Isolated counter-protests involving a few dozen people have occurred in Nigeria, an economy in which South African firms such as mobile phone giant MTN and supermarket chain Shoprite have large stakes.
Diplomats from several African countries have urged their citizens back home not to seek vengeance.
"We are appealing to our countries not to retaliate," Democratic Republic of the Congo ambassador Bene M'Poko told a news conference in Johannesburg, stressing that South African firms in the rest of the continent were "working peacefully".
Reuters
South Africa deployed soldiers on Tuesday to try to quell the unrest after being criticized by governments including China and Zimbabwe for failing to protect foreigners from armed mobs.
"The essence of the summon was to register Nigeria's protest over the on-going xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans in South Africa," the ministry said, adding that the meeting had happened on Monday.
It also called on the South African authorities to quell the unrest and bring those involved to book.
On Tuesday, four men aged between 18 and 22 were charged with the murder and robbery of a Mozambican man, Emmanuel Sithole, whose death was captured by a newspaper photographer and plastered across the front pages, shocking the nation.
Isolated counter-protests involving a few dozen people have occurred in Nigeria, an economy in which South African firms such as mobile phone giant MTN and supermarket chain Shoprite have large stakes.
Diplomats from several African countries have urged their citizens back home not to seek vengeance.
"We are appealing to our countries not to retaliate," Democratic Republic of the Congo ambassador Bene M'Poko told a news conference in Johannesburg, stressing that South African firms in the rest of the continent were "working peacefully".
Reuters
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Video - Stephen Keshi appointed Super Eagles coach for the third time
In his first spell he won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations but the deal was not renewed after the 2014 World Cup.
He later returned on a match-by-match deal, which ended in November after failure to reach the 2015 Nations Cup.
"It's a fresh start. We need the support of our fans, media and every Nigerian to return the team to where we truly belong," Keshi told BBC Sport.
"As a coach and former player I was also hurt that we failed to qualify for the last Nations Cup.
Continue reading the main story
"To succeed we all need to come together as one because Nigeria belongs to us - this is not Stephen Keshi's team but our national team."
BBC Sport understands that Keshi has been set several targets and that his contract will be terminated if he does not meet them.
The 53-year-old was also required to sign a code of conduct and is expected to work with the Nigerian Football Federation technical committee.
However, the NFF's technical committee boss Felix Anyansi-Agwu said: "The NFF board is confident Stephen Keshi can take the Super Eagles to new heights.
"We want Nigerians to see this as a new beginning and to support the team and the NFF."
Keshi, who also won the Nations Cup as a player with Nigeria in 1994, declined to comment on the contract details or the exit of his long-term assistant Daniel Amokachi.
Former Nigeria striker Amokachi has left his role with immediate effect and been replaced by Salisu Yusuf.
Yusuf, who led Kano Pillars to the Nigerian title in 2008, has previously worked as assistant to former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia at both senior and U20 levels.
As caretaker coach, Keshi endured a turbulent 2014, in which he was sacked by the NFF and only reinstalled after intervention from Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan.
His last two home matches in Abuja and Akwa Ibom were marred by a negative reaction from the public and Keshi has pleaded for the home supporters to be positive during the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles have been drawn in one of the toughest-looking groups, alongside seven-time champions Egypt, Tanzania and Chad.
"I understand we still have some disappointed people out there but our dedicated players deserve our encouragement and support," added Keshi.
"It doesn't matter where they play, these boys always give everything and we need to stand by them and the coaching crew.
"I remain confident that this time around we will see an improvement, change in attitude and positive results."
BBC
South Africa closes consulate in Lagos, Nigeria after anti-xenophobia protests
Protests were held outside the consulate and at the South African High Commission in Abuja.
South African consul general in Nigeria, Sam Monaisa, said in an email to the South African business forum in that country that the closure would remain in force until Thursday.
The situation in Durban had calmed down, but he was concerned about the Nigerians that were being repatriated, he wrote.
He said Nigerians were using social media to blow an already tense situation in South Africa out of proportion and stoking emotions.
This was why Nigerians maintained that their compatriots were being killed daily in South Africa, he said.
South Africans becoming targets
He warned the forum’s members to stay alert and not move around unnecessarily. South African businesses and citizens became targets of threats and acts of retaliation whenever xenophobic attacks occurred in South Africa, he cautioned.
Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe 15 people who were part of a first group of Zimbabweans returning home in the wake of xenophobic attacks in Durban have “disappeared” in Musina, state media reported on Tuesday.
The Herald newspaper said in an online update: “Fifteen victims disappeared in Musina where they reportedly claimed feeling safe because there were no xenophobic attacks reported.” There were no further details.
Zimbabwe is repatriating up to 2000 of its citizens who have asked to be evacuated in the wake of the attacks.
The first six buses carrying 407 Zimbabweans left Durban on Sunday.
Mail&Guardian
South African consul general in Nigeria, Sam Monaisa, said in an email to the South African business forum in that country that the closure would remain in force until Thursday.
The situation in Durban had calmed down, but he was concerned about the Nigerians that were being repatriated, he wrote.
He said Nigerians were using social media to blow an already tense situation in South Africa out of proportion and stoking emotions.
This was why Nigerians maintained that their compatriots were being killed daily in South Africa, he said.
South Africans becoming targets
He warned the forum’s members to stay alert and not move around unnecessarily. South African businesses and citizens became targets of threats and acts of retaliation whenever xenophobic attacks occurred in South Africa, he cautioned.
Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe 15 people who were part of a first group of Zimbabweans returning home in the wake of xenophobic attacks in Durban have “disappeared” in Musina, state media reported on Tuesday.
The Herald newspaper said in an online update: “Fifteen victims disappeared in Musina where they reportedly claimed feeling safe because there were no xenophobic attacks reported.” There were no further details.
Zimbabwe is repatriating up to 2000 of its citizens who have asked to be evacuated in the wake of the attacks.
The first six buses carrying 407 Zimbabweans left Durban on Sunday.
Mail&Guardian
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Locally brewed gin suspected of causing 18 deaths in Nigeria
Ethanol poisoning from a locally brewed gin may have been responsible for the sudden death of 18 people last week, Nigerian health authorities said Monday.
"We strongly suspect ethanol poisoning and in view of this, we have ordered for another toxicology test for the surviving victims," Ondo state health commissioner Dayo Adeyanju told AFP.
Preliminary investigations ruled out viral or Ebola infection for the outbreak of the mysterious illness in the southwestern town of Ode-Irele on April 15.
"Our investigations revealed that five of the victims took local gin mixed with herbs. Three of them died while the other two have been put under close observation," Adeyanju said.
A total 23 people were affected, and 18 died.
The five others were referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital for further tests.
Adeyanju said the disease was not contagious, and that no new cases have been reported in the past four days.
"We will continue to monitor the situation. We are appealing to our people to report any case of sudden illness or death to the health authorities for immediate action," he said.
Experts from the World Health Organization were in Ode-Irele to investigate and contain the disease.
The WHO representative in Nigeria, Dr Rui Gama Vaz, told reporters in Abuja on Monday that his organisation would continue to provide technical support to health authorities to battle the disease.
The global health body had said on Sunday that pesticide poisoning was the likely cause of the mysterious deaths.
The victims, whose symptoms included headache, weight loss, blurred vision and loss of consciousness, all died within a day of falling ill.
AFP
"We strongly suspect ethanol poisoning and in view of this, we have ordered for another toxicology test for the surviving victims," Ondo state health commissioner Dayo Adeyanju told AFP.
Preliminary investigations ruled out viral or Ebola infection for the outbreak of the mysterious illness in the southwestern town of Ode-Irele on April 15.
"Our investigations revealed that five of the victims took local gin mixed with herbs. Three of them died while the other two have been put under close observation," Adeyanju said.
A total 23 people were affected, and 18 died.
The five others were referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital for further tests.
Adeyanju said the disease was not contagious, and that no new cases have been reported in the past four days.
"We will continue to monitor the situation. We are appealing to our people to report any case of sudden illness or death to the health authorities for immediate action," he said.
Experts from the World Health Organization were in Ode-Irele to investigate and contain the disease.
The WHO representative in Nigeria, Dr Rui Gama Vaz, told reporters in Abuja on Monday that his organisation would continue to provide technical support to health authorities to battle the disease.
The global health body had said on Sunday that pesticide poisoning was the likely cause of the mysterious deaths.
The victims, whose symptoms included headache, weight loss, blurred vision and loss of consciousness, all died within a day of falling ill.
AFP
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