In a deft move to avoid further deterioration in its relations with Nigerian over the March mass deportation of 125 Nigerian travelers, South African government on Thursday formally apologized to the deportees.
At a news conference in Pretoria Thursday, deputy foreign minister Ibrahim Ibrahim said: “We wish to humbly apologize to them, and we have.”
At a news conference in Pretoria Thursday, deputy foreign minister Ibrahim Ibrahim said: “We wish to humbly apologize to them, and we have.”
Two diplomats from the Nigerian High Commission accompanied Ibrahim to the news conference, but refused to comment beyond a joint statement that described tit-for-tat deportations the two countries say should not affect their relations.
Consequently Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, announced the end of hostilities, adding that machinery had been put in motion to ensure a permanent truce.
“Today, I can confirm to you that I have received a letter from the South African Foreign Minister apologising for the course of action and the deportation of 125 Nigerians last week. What it means is that, for you gentlemen of the press, we have reached the end of the exchange of statements between the time this incident happened and today.
“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and of course, of the President, I, as the Foreign Minister, will accept the apology; I will be sending a letter back to my counterpart in South Africa, accepting the
apology of the South African government. “And thereafter, we will move quickly to ensure that we put machinery in place so that it will be a lasting solution because we don’t want this to happen again in the course of our bilateral relations”, he said. On March 2, South Africa deported 125 Nigerians who, according to airport health authorities, carried fraudulent yellow fever cards.
The incident angered Nigerian authorities which also commenced mass deportation of Nigeria-bound South African nationals.
So far 84 South African passengers have been deported within three days of the reprisal action.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru had on Tuesday told Senators that Nigeria would retaliate the Friday deportation of 125 South Africa bound passengers who were turned back at the Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, on the grounds that they were in possession of fake yellow fever vaccine certificate.
Impeccable Immigration sources disclosed that the stern measure against South African travelers to Nigeria would continue until South Africa demonstrates remorse over the deportation of 125 Nigerians last Friday.
Nigeria is demanding compensation for all the victims of the harsh treatment, disciplinary action against all the officials involved in the cruelty to Nigerians, a review of the Yellow Fever Vaccination Card policy and a commitment that such a diplomatic slip will not re-occur as the only way to normalize relations with South Africa.
It is known whether the South African authorities have also complied with the other demands by Nigeria beyond the apologies. Ashiru had also warned that henceforth, Nigeria would deport citizens of any
country that deports her nationals on flimsy excuses.
Nigeria is one of the biggest markets for South Africa's MTN mobile telephone company while their retailer, Shoprite and Standard Bank are also making huge profits in the country.
Consequently Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, announced the end of hostilities, adding that machinery had been put in motion to ensure a permanent truce.
“Today, I can confirm to you that I have received a letter from the South African Foreign Minister apologising for the course of action and the deportation of 125 Nigerians last week. What it means is that, for you gentlemen of the press, we have reached the end of the exchange of statements between the time this incident happened and today.
“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and of course, of the President, I, as the Foreign Minister, will accept the apology; I will be sending a letter back to my counterpart in South Africa, accepting the
apology of the South African government. “And thereafter, we will move quickly to ensure that we put machinery in place so that it will be a lasting solution because we don’t want this to happen again in the course of our bilateral relations”, he said. On March 2, South Africa deported 125 Nigerians who, according to airport health authorities, carried fraudulent yellow fever cards.
The incident angered Nigerian authorities which also commenced mass deportation of Nigeria-bound South African nationals.
So far 84 South African passengers have been deported within three days of the reprisal action.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru had on Tuesday told Senators that Nigeria would retaliate the Friday deportation of 125 South Africa bound passengers who were turned back at the Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, on the grounds that they were in possession of fake yellow fever vaccine certificate.
Impeccable Immigration sources disclosed that the stern measure against South African travelers to Nigeria would continue until South Africa demonstrates remorse over the deportation of 125 Nigerians last Friday.
Nigeria is demanding compensation for all the victims of the harsh treatment, disciplinary action against all the officials involved in the cruelty to Nigerians, a review of the Yellow Fever Vaccination Card policy and a commitment that such a diplomatic slip will not re-occur as the only way to normalize relations with South Africa.
It is known whether the South African authorities have also complied with the other demands by Nigeria beyond the apologies. Ashiru had also warned that henceforth, Nigeria would deport citizens of any
country that deports her nationals on flimsy excuses.
Nigeria is one of the biggest markets for South Africa's MTN mobile telephone company while their retailer, Shoprite and Standard Bank are also making huge profits in the country.
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