Xenophobia: Jonathan never recalled envoy

Nigeria has not recalled its ambassador to South Africa on grounds of xenophobic attacks on foreigners resident in South Africa, the Presidency has said. “It is not true that Nigeria has recalled its envoy in South Africa on account of recent xenophobic attacks in that country,” said presidential spokesman Reuben Abati on Monday night. The […]

Nigeria has not recalled its ambassador to South Africa on grounds of xenophobic attacks on foreigners resident in South Africa, the Presidency has said.

“It is not true that Nigeria has recalled its envoy in South Africa on account of recent xenophobic attacks in that country,” said presidential spokesman Reuben Abati on Monday night.

The comments come after outrage trailed a statement on Saturday by the the foreign affairs ministry asking acting high commissioner Martin
Cobham and deputy high commissioner Uche Ajulu-Okeke to return to Nigeria for consultations.

“What has been done is to invite the Charge De Affairs in that country for routine consultations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Abati clarified.

He said recalling an envoy was serious and sensitive matter—and “that has not happened.”