President Muhammadu Buhari today send a powerful message to Nigerians, South Africans and the World at Large.
President Muhammadu Buhari reminded south Africans the roles played by Nigeria in engendering majority rule in South Africa, and ending the apartheid segregationist policy.
He stated this during an audience with Mr Jeff Radebe, Special Envoy of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa at State House, Abuja
According to President Buhari, Going back to historical antecedents, Nigeria made great sacrifices for South Africa to become a free state. Noting that he was a junior officer to Gen. Murtala Muhammad, and Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, and They were not operating in a democracy, but they got Nigerians to support them in the bid to see a free South Africa.”
The President extended appreciation to President Ramaphosa, through the Special Envoy, for coming to explain to him what happened in South Africa recently, leading to killing and displacement of foreigners.
READ ALSO : Kingsley Moghalu congratulates Davido and Chioma on their engagement
President Buhari responded to profuse apologies from the South African President, pledging that relationship between the two countries will be solidified, while describing the xenophobic attacks as very unfortunate.
Mr Radebe apologized on behalf of his President for what he called acts of criminality and violence that recently occurred, adding that such do not represent the south Africans value system, nor those of the larger number of the country
He said South Africa was an integral part of Africa, and is fully committed to peace and integration of the continent.
The Special Envoy disclosed that 10 people died during the attacks – two Zimbabweans and eight South Africans. He said there was no Nigerian casualty.
He added that South Africa remains eternally grateful for the role Nigeria played in ending apartheid, and hoped that the coming visit of the Nigerian President would solidify relationship between the two countries once again.
COV/WAKILI
