TheCable

Musiliu Obanikoro, Nigeria’s junior minister of foreign affairs, says Nigeria did not recall its high commissioner to South Africa over the ongoing xenophobic attacks.

Referring the reports as rumour, Obanikoro said the officials were only summoned for consultation.

“Please disregard rumours and reports that the ministry of foreign affairs has recalled its high commissioner to South Africa,” he wrote on Twitter.

“The MFA summoned the Nigerian high commissioner to South Africa for consultation. He was not recalled.”

South Africa reacted to the issue in a very critical manner, faulting the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in several regards.

“The South African government takes note that the outgoing government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has recalled its acting high commissioner to South Africa,” read a statement issued by Clayson Monyela, spokesperson of the department of international relations and cooperation.

“A government resorts to such an extraordinary diplomatic step to express outrage at actions or behaviour of another government. We are not sure which actions or behaviour of the South African Government the Nigerian Government is protesting.

“It is only Nigeria that has taken this unfortunate and regrettable step. If this action is based on the incidents of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of our country, it would be curious for a sisterly country to want to exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda.”