South Africa: SA, Nigeria to Discuss Attacks On Foreign Nationals
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
2 June 2008
Posted to the web 2 June 2008
Michael Appel
Pretoria
Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad on Monday said besides discussing bilateral issues, President Thabo Mbeki and his Nigerian counterpart will discuss the recent spate of attacks on people from other countries.
"...Given that we've had these attacks against foreigners, and we have many Nigerians in South Africa, we will also take the opportunity to discuss with the Nigerians the issue of undocumented citizens,[and] the issue of how their citizens can integrate into South African society.
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"I think Africa as a whole has understood that the vast majority of South Africans have condemned attacks against foreigners, and that the majority of South Africans from government, civil society to the religious community ... have really spoken out quite strongly against these attacks on foreigners," said Mr Pahad.
The minister highlighted that despite threats of mass protest action in Nigeria when Bafana Bafana travelled to Abuja to play the Super Eagles over the weekend in a 2010 African Nations Cup Group Four qualifier, "nothing really materialised," he said.
A small group of peaceful protestors did, however, gather outside the High Commission in Abuja but fears of a mass reprisal for attacks on Nigerians in South Africa subsided.
The minister indicated that as government, "we are quite convinced that criminal elements have exploited genuine frustrations of our people. And this will be a good opportunity for two major powers to discuss this.
"When we met in Tanzania [in May 2008 for the Twelve Heads of State and Government Summit] it was quite clear that African Heads of State understood this was not something the vast majority of our people are involved in.
"Indeed they received a clear message that the South African government is totally opposed to this and will support our security apparatus to take all necessary measures.
"This is not a phenomenon unique to South Africa. Last week, similar incidents happened in Italy. A year and a half ago France went through the same processes. This is a phenomenon that we must tackle as a whole."
Also on the agenda to be discussed between Mr Mbeki and President Umari Yar'Adua are South Africa's food and electricity challenges.
Nigeria is South Africa's biggest trading partner with bilateral trade totally over R17 billion.
Nigeria is the 12th largest petroleum producer in the world and is the 8th largest exporter of petroleum internationally as well said the minister.
Therefore, he said, South Africa will be looking to capitalise and expand the trade relationship that exists between them, in the energy field in particular.
"Nigeria is also absolutely vital in the agricultural area. It has one of the best agricultural lands in the continent [and] until oil was discovered, agriculture was the main Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
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"So we will also discuss with the Nigerians the energy sector and the agricultural sector, but overall how to increase our economic relations," said Mr Pahad.
South African is also looking at discussing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the minerals sector.
There is a working group that will interact with the Nigerian delegation on trade and industry, energy, foreign affairs, and science and technology, all of which were present when Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka visited Nigeria for the seventh Bi-National Commission (BNC) in May.
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