Xenophobia: ‎Group calls for UN, AU intervention

A youth group – Advocates for Collective Transformation and Youth Empowerment Initiative (ACTYEI), has urged Africa Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) to intervene immediately in the ongoing xenophobia attacks in South Africa, lamenting that young Nigerians were major victims of renewed attacks.

This was just as the group, urged the Nigerian government to immediately order the closure of the High Commission of the Republic of South Africa in Lagos and Abuja, and cut all diplomatic ties with the country until safety for Nigerians residing in the country was guaranteed.‎

The group made this demand in a statement issued by its National President, Dr. Oluwatayo Fashogbon and National Secretary, Ifetoluwa Ajayi. The call came in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, saying both the AU and UN should immediately take diplomatic and military measures to put an end to the serial xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other black Africans.

ACTYEI, while contending that various international charters allowed immigrants to live lawfully in country of residences, however, pleaded that Nigeria should not reciprocate with violence but explore all legal and lawful options to get justice for her citizens in South Africa.

“While we condemn the attack on our people in South Africa, we should not reciprocate with violence but explore all legal and lawful options to get justice for Nigerians in South Africa,” the group said, adding “Nigerian government should take extra-diplomatic measures in dealing with the latest deadly assaults.”