The evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa has been suspended due to the scheduled visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Pretoria today (Wednesday). But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the outcome of the talks between Buhari and his host, President, Cyril Ramaphosa, would determine if there would be further evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa.
The Federal Government had last month started the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa, following xenophobic attacks on them and other Africans. On 11th of September, 187 Nigerians came from South Africa an aboard Air Peace aircraft. The carrier airlifted 315 Nigerians from South Africa on September 18. One of our correspondents gathered that Nigeria and South Africa would on Thursday hold their Bi-National Commission summit, which would be presided over by Buhari and Ramaphosa.
It was gathered that the meeting would also develop strategies and finalise agreements on an advance warning system on xenophobic attacks. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said in a statement that Buhari would today (Wednesday) embark on a three-day state visit to South Africa on the invitation of Ramaphosa.
The visit, which is coming on the heels of the xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of over 500 Nigerians and the exchange of visits by special envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa, was expected to finalise all relevant draft agreements and memoranda of understanding on defence and security, energy and socio-economic matters, trade and politics.
