Shettima Warns South Africa: Nigeria Won’t Tolerate Humiliation of Its Citizens

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens by any foreign government.

Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Luanda, Angola, issued the warning while speaking to journalists shortly before departing the Angolan capital for Nigeria on Monday.

The Vice-President strongly condemned the reported xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, stressing that Nigeria would not remain silent whenever the safety and dignity of its citizens were threatened.

According to him, Nigeria remains committed to resolving its concerns with South Africa through dialogue and peaceful engagement, but would continue to make its position clear when situations become unacceptable.

“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble. We were part of the struggle for the liberation of our brothers and sisters in southern Africa, and we feel personally pained that our people have been picked up for humiliation,” Shettima said.

He added, “The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations.

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“But we believe in having very robust conversations with our South African brothers. We don’t want to overheat the polity, but once in a while you have to make it very clear, vehemently clear, that certain situations are unacceptable, and we’ll work things out.”

Shettima also called on South African authorities to ensure that immigration laws are enforced in a manner that protects human lives and upholds the dignity of Nigerians and other African nationals.

The Vice-President’s comments come amid renewed concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African citizens in South Africa.

The Nigerian government had earlier reported the alleged attacks to the African Union, seeking the continental body’s intervention over the treatment of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

Nigeria has maintained that while it values its diplomatic relations with South Africa, the protection of the lives, dignity and rights of its citizens remains non-negotiable.

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