President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting, behind closed doors, with the special envoys from the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
The envoys were in Abuja over the increasing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans living, in South Africa.
The envoys arrived the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, around 2.13pm with acting South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bobby Monroe.
President Ramaphosa, who was booed as he took to the stage at Robert Mugabe’s funeral service, in Zimbabwe, to deliver his condolences, on Saturday afternoon, as he addressed mourners, had dispatched three special envoys to seven countries to forestall possible diplomatic ties being severed.
The three special envoys were dispatched to Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, to deliver messages of pan-African unity and solidarity.
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The envoys would deliver messages on the violence that erupted in some parts of South Africa resulting in attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of properties.
The envoys were in Abuja to reassure President Buhari and Nigerians that South Africa was committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity.
They are also expected to reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law.
They were to also brief President Buhari on the steps that the South African Government is taking to end the attacks and to hold the perpetrators to account.
Xenophobia attacks in South Africa have been on the rise as foreigners were accused of taking up employment that should have been for locals.
A fortnight ago, president had also sent a special envoy, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Abubakar Rufai, to meet his South African counterpart.
Rufia had submitted his report to President Buhari on his return to Nigeria.
