Diplomatic Row: African leaders pressure Jonathan to ignore Zuma

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines Thursday, March 8th, 2012

South Africa should apologise today for the illegal deportation of 125 Nigerian passengers last Friday at the Oliver Thambo International Airport in Johannesburg or face tougher measures, officials said last night.

Nigeria has given five conditions to be met by South Africa to end the impasse sparked by the incident.

They are:

•unconditional apology to Nigeria over the deportation of 125 Nigerian travellers;

•compensation for all the victims of the cruelty;

•disciplinary action against all the officials involved in the incident;

•a review of the Yellow Fever Vaccination Card policy; and

•a commitment that such a diplomatic slip will not reoccur

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “We are awaiting the response of South Africa to our demands by Thursday (today).

“Just wait till Thursday and you will be proud to be a Nigerian from the steps we are going to take.”

The row continued last night, with Nigeria deporting 42 more South Africans, who flew into Lagos aboard a South Africa Airways flight 060.

South Africa retaliated by turning back five Nigerians, also last night. Two of the Nigerians flew Arik Air . The others were on South African Airways.

The Nation learnt that the African Union may have intervened in the diplomatic row between the two countries. Some leaders are said to be pleading with President Goodluck Jonathan to overlook the excesses of South African President Jacob Zuma.

Another source said: “I think the AU has stepped into the crisis, in view of the strategic roles of Nigeria in Africa. The AU is worried because Nigeria is the largest contributor to peace-keeping operations in Africa.

“Some countries are pleading with President Jonathan not to give President Zuma a chance to divide the Union.

“They have also reminded Nigeria of its sacrifice to make South Africa and other Frontline States become independent nations.

“Consultations have been on with pressure on Nigeria to play a big brother role.”

There is reprieve for South Africans entering Nigeria aboard Arik Air. They are not affected by the deportation.

Only South Africans coming into the country through the South African Airways (SAA) are being deported.

“In line with our new reciprocity policy, we also decided to limit the deportation to only South Africans coming into Nigeria through SAA.

“Any South African who arrives in Nigeria aboard Arik Air will not be deported.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “We will not stop the deportation until we reach the 125 limit deported last Friday by Immigration officials in South Africa. It is an eye for an eye.

“Already, intelligence reports have indicated that most South Africans, who came to Nigeria with Business Visas, are in paid employment. We have proof of falsified records.

“Those in this category will soon be deported too.”

But a spokesman for South Africa’s home affairs department Ronnie Mamoepa, said the decision to deport the Nigerians stemmed purely from concerns about health.

“It’s not an immigration issue, it’s a health matter … Nobody without a yellow fever certificate is allowed into the country and that’s what this is.” He was quoted by Reuters.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, airlines and immigration officials were busy screening passengers bound ‘for South Africa, with a view to ensuring that they possess relevant valid documents to ensure they are not denied entry at the Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.

Some of the passengers intervened explained that it was right for the Federal Government to have retaliated on account of what they describe as the unruly attitude of South African officials both at the High Commission offices in Nigeria and at the airport in Johannesburg.

One passenger who identified himself as Gregory Wendi, explained that he has lived in South Africa for some years, amid maltreatment by the authorities.

The Port Health unit attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, was busy with passengers regularising their Yellow Card.

-The Nationwp_posts