Labour leader lists 7 ways Nigeria can sanction South Africa over xenophobia

The recent xenophobic attack against Nigerians in South Africa has drawn the ire of a senior labour leader, Denja Yaqub.

Yaqub, who is an assistant secretary with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), listed the seven ways South Africa should be sanctioned saying this would send a strong message to the country’s government that Nigeria can no longer tolerate the killing of its citizens.

For several days currently, Nigerians in the country have lived in fear as citizens of South Africa have continued to attack and kill them.

The South Africans argue that Nigerians in their country peddle dr*gs and engage in prostitution.

Abike Dabiri, an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora, recently accused the opposition party and leaders in South Africa as encouraging attacks on Nigeria warning that if nothing was done to curb it, a reprisal cannot be ruled out.

Yaqub said: “Honestly, I suggest the Nigerian government should take the following URGENT steps:

1. Evacuate Nigerians out of South Africa;

2. Close the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa;

3. Expel the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria;

4. Suspend diplomatic relations with South Africa;

5. Take over ALL South African businesses in Nigeria, such as MTN, Shoprite etc;

6. Canvass the immediate expulsion of South Africa from the African Union;

7. Canvass for sanctions against South Africa at the United Nations; and

8. Demand compensations for the families of ALL victims of the series of attacks against Nigerians and nationals of other African countries by South African citizens.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”

Yaqub further noted that Nigerians are not criminals as alleged by the South Africans

Nigerians are NOT criminals in any part of South Africa.

He added: “In Nigeria, there are leading big businesses owned by South Africans, especially those with Cyril Ramaphosa's interests.

“Cyril, a former leading anti-apartheid activist is today's comprador of imperialism in Africa. He's currently South Africa's Deputy President and most likely going to succeed Jacob Zuma.

“Both Cyril and Jacob are beneficiaries of neo-liberal interests in Africa. Africa will NEVER develop with those who act against the spirit of the struggles of African people in power.

“The government of the Republic of South Africa is very far from the South African people. And that is what has led to the sustained attacks on foreigners.

“Yes, drug sellers are mostly foreigners but drug users are mostly South Africans. What is needed is decisive intervention by non-state actors to recover the country and the entire continent from agents of those who use all sorts of policies to expand poverty in African countries.

“The movement, organisations of serious pro people groups, including trade unions need to form strong alliances with the people. Nothing to do with the so called Tripartite Alliance that is fast destroying the South African people.

“If South African big businesses are operating freely and surviving in Nigeria, why are small businesses owned by Nigerians a threat to South Africans?”