Row: South Africa bows, apologises to Nigeria

After one week of diplomatic stand off, the South-African government, on Thursday, apologised to the Federal Government for deporting 125 Nigerians from the country on March 2. The Nigerian travellers were deported for allegedly presenting fake yellow fever vaccination cards.

The Nigerian government, which disputed the claim and took reciprocal actions to show its displeasure, said on Thursday that it had accepted the apology.

Nigeria had deported a total of 131 South Africans before the resolution of the row. Some reports had also claimed that South Africa had deported an additional 25 Nigerian travellers in retaliation.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, who announced the end of hostilities, at a Press Conference, in Abuja, said machinery had been put in motion to ensure a permanent truce.

Ashiru said, “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.”

While giving an insight into the letter, the Minister said, “In the letter, the South African government promised to dispatch a special envoy as soon as possible to come and visit Mr. President, and to also convey the apology of the South African government.”

According to him, the ministry was already making arrangements for President Goodluck Jonathan to receive the Special Envoy “within the next couple of days.”

He also noted that the South African government and Nigeria’s High Commission in that country issued a joint press statement, in Pretoria, South Africa, earlier in the day.

Ashiru said as part of the truce, other remedial measures, the details of which were still being worked out, would be taken.

He noted, “Other measures will be taken to ensure that our relations are normal and that all the causes of irritation in our relations are removed.”

Also, the minister said, “The major thrust (of the statement) is that, we have both agreed to reconvene immediately, the Bi-national commission between our two countries.”

The Nigeria-South Africa Bi-national Commission is headed by the Vice-Presidents of the two countries.

Issues to be discussed at the Commission’s meeting will include but not limited to political, economic and commercial, immigration, consular, and security matters.

It is expected that after the meeting, a comprehensive framework will be put in place to deter officials from maltreating Nigerians.

Earlier, the Department of International Relations, Republic of South Africa, and the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria, had issued a joint press statement.

After reviewing the situation, both countries said in the statement:

“The governments of South Africa and Nigeria view these developments in a serious light. Accordingly, the two countries have, through diplomatic channels, consulted at the highest levels on ways of avoiding a recurrence of such developments.

“Furthermore, the South African government has sent a letter of apology to the Nigerian government following this regrettable incident which the South African government believes could have been handled better.

“Amongst other things, the two countries agree that:

“The Bi-national Commission between South Africa and Nigeria should be revived as soon as possible. There is also agreement that the immigration Working Group should also be reviewed.

“The National Department of Health and the Gauteng Health Department should reconsider re-opening the vaccination clinic at the OR Tambo International Airport so that passengers without the yellow fever card can be vaccinated upon arrival at the airport rather than be deported.”

Other issues agreed upon were that, “The South African and Nigerian Health authorities would exchange vaccine batch numbers and details about official institutions that administer the vaccine batch numbers.

“When it comes to mass deportation, it was agreed that senior officials at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (including Protocol) should be consulted by Immigration and Health officials at the Airport before undertaking such action.

“This will provide the Senior Officials the opportunity to consult with the Department before deporting large numbers of people.”

However, Ashiru appealed to Nigerians travelling abroad to obey the laws of the countries they are visiting.

“We should also look inwards when we travel abroad to conduct ourselves properly and at least, to make sure that, whatever you are doing that you are conscious of the fact that you are a Nigerian. And that people are watching you.

“While we as a government have a responsibility to protect you, you also, as Nigerians and travellers, should behave and don’t do anything that will portray Nigeria in a bad light.”

Declaring the dispute over, Ashiru said with the formal apology issued by the government of South Africa, and the acceptance of the same by Nigeria, the matter had been put to rest.

He said “I will finally say, we should put this episode behind us.

“We are going to move forward and make sure we consolidate our relations with South Africa.”

The diplomat noted that the two countries had enjoyed cordial relations over time and as such, it was important that both countries “move forward.”

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State II, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, said the action taken by the Federal Government during the face off marked the beginning of a new era of tit-for-tat diplomacy.

He said, “This government is a government that cares for its citizens; it’s a government that is saying the days of the ‘Big Brother’ is over that the days of tit-for-tat are here.

“If a Nigerian is maltreated anywhere in the world, the Nigerian government will take that incident with all seriousness it deserves. It is not about South Africa as the Minister said.”