CYMS Condemns Targeted Attacks On Nigerians In S. Africa

The Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization ( CYMS) has yesterday condemned in strong terms the recurrent killings and maiming of Nigerians and its businesses in South Africa describing it as a targeted harassment that must not only be seriously frowned at but must be tackled with utmost urgency.

The CYMS in a statement issued to NAN yesterday through it Director Media and publicity, Comrade Otobong Gabriel after a high level engagement with the South African High Commission in Abuja said it was quite necessary that Nigerian youths had to take their destiny in their hands by coming out to chat a way forward to ensure a peaceful coexistence between the two countries and put a stop to this inhuman attacks on Nigerians

Ambassador Obinna Nwaka, the Director General of CYMS who was part of the delegation of notable Nigerian youth leaders on a round table discussion with Mr Bobby Moroe, the acting High Commissioner of the South Africa High Commission said that the South African Commission has swung into action by setting up an eight ( Man Committee that will ensure quick implementation of CYMS "National and International Youth led Dialogue" working documents adopted by the South Africa government.

The working document which was received by the High Commission on 30th July, 2019 through the CYMS shall guide the 8 Man Committee on proper engagement of youths from the two countries, and to come up with a comprehensive report from an independent point of view that will assist in putting to an end to the Xenophobic attack on Nigerian, adding that it is quite disturbing that for century, Nigerians who live in the Republic of South Africa have consistently been victims of xenophobic violent attacks.

Unfortunately, both countries have not done enough to reduce the spate of those attacks due to failure of both government to work with interest groups.

However, the CYMS has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his quick intervention by deploying special envoy and pulling out of the upcoming Conference in Cape Town, meanwhile we call on Federal government to appoint proactive persons with political will to protect their citizens especially on diplomatic mission.

Nwaka stated that Nigeria and South Africa share a history of brotherhood and at different times in our difficult times and it is very important that we do not allow this ugly development cause a blot in our shared history, and therefore plead with Nigerian to contend their anger and think of a more diplomatic ways of handling this ugly occurrences like brothers and sisters while challenging the leadership of both countries to press all available diplomatic buttons as quick as possible to put in action all the suggestions of Nigerian youths on this matter.