Nigeria recalls envoy to S Africa
over migrant attacks
Ambassador's summoning is latest sign of
growing discontent at South Africa's handling
of deadly xenophobic violence.

Nigeria has recalled its ambassador to South
Africa in the latest sign of African countries'
discontent at Pretoria's handling of attacks on
immigrants.
Acting High Commissioner Martin Cobham and
Deputy High Commissioner Uche Ajulu-Okeke
had been asked to return to Nigeria for
consultations on Saturday, a statement by the
Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
"The invitation is in connection with the on-
going xenophobia in South Africa targeting
foreigners, mainly African migrants," the
statement said.
Seven people in South Africa have been killed
in attacks on migrants since March 20, when
South Africa's Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini
spoke out against foreign workers.
"Let us pop our head lice," he said. "We must
remove ticks and place them outside in the
sun. We ask foreign nationals to pack their
belongings and be sent back."
He has since said those remarks were taken
out of context and that he opposes violence.
Earlier this week, Nigeria summoned South
Africa's high commissioner over the unrest as
protesters picketed the South African embassy
in Lagos.
A Nigerian group has called for the
International Criminal Court to investigate
Zwelithini for "hate speech".
South Africa has deployed troops to try to quell
the violence, after criticism by nations
including China and Zimbabwe for failing to
protect their citizens against armed mobs.
South African firms such as mobile phone
giant MTN and supermarket chain Shoprite
have significant interests in Nigeria, which is
Africa's biggest economy.

Source: www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2015/04/nigeria-recalls-envoy-africa-migrant-attacks-150425182728702.html

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