By Baron Ike
Nigeria will not be participating at the World Economic Forum conference starting Wednesday, September 4 and ending Friday, September 6 in South Africa.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was biled to attend did not attend.
Also on Wednesday, September 4, the federal government of Nigeria recalled the country’s High Commissioner to South Africa Kabiru Bala in protest for the recent attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
Bala was asked to return immediately in what is obviously a sign of diplomatic row looming between Nigeria and South Africa.
President Muhammadu Buhari, his deputy, Osinbajo and minister of foreign affairs Geoffrey Onyeama met for hours in Aso Rock on Wednesday to consider the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa and the failure of the government of Cyril Ramaphosa to contain the situation.
Many African countries have also pulled out of the WEF conference such as Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe among others.
Nigeria demanded that South Africa compensates her citizens who were victims of xenophobic attacks as first steps to sit at a round table to discuss further diplomatic relationship.
A South African deputy miniter of police, Bongani Mkongi said foreigners were occupying 80 percent of districts in his country, causing tbe indigenes to lose jobs and homes and that thrir presence constitutes economic sabotage.
During his electioneering to be elected South African President, Ramaphosa reiterated that foreigners were taking jobs meant for the locals.
At a meeting Ramaphosa held with Buhari recently in Japan he said he was committed to a peaceful and cordial relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.