A FORMER Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) to Liberia and ex-Under-Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Akin O. Fayomi, has urged Nigeria and South Africa to revive their moribund Binational Commission (BNC).



Fayomi said the BNC covers diplomatic relations, including political, economic, military, trade and investment, consular matters, Diaspora issues, cultural, among others.

He said: “The African Union Commission (AUC) has been curiously silent on xenophobia. Not even a statement has been issued! Obviously, it is powerless. I don’t think we should wait or rely on the AUC or any of its organs, like the African Commission on Human Rights, before we take actions. Obviously, our destiny is in our hands.”

According to him, the Federal Government’s response to the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa is in the right direction, “although rather measured”.

Fayomi added: “I believe that diplomacy and dialogue is the way to go. But we should wield the big stick at the same time. Recalling our High Commissioner to that country and sending to them a special envoy are encouraging. The government needs to do more.

“We should let the Government of South Africa know the repercussion of their inactions. We know that they can do much more to stop these xenophobic or Afro-phobic attacks on our people. But they seem to be folding their arms, calling it criminality, making inciting statements and all that.

“We should let them know that we can go beyond dialogue and resort to suspending diplomatic relations; closing down some or all of the South African-owned business entities in Nigeria; expelling all their nationals in our country.

“However, we must give diplomacy a chance. In this case, a more vigorous approach will be to resuscitate the moribund Bi-National Commission (BNC) that we have with South Africa. This began during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. It was at the level of the vice-presidents of the two countries then – Atiku Abubakar and Jacob Zuma.

“The BNC covers the whole gamut of diplomatic relations, including political, economic, military, trade and investment, consular matters, diaspora issues, cultural, among others. If the BNC is activated, all manner of issues will be on the table for discussion.”

Also, the Presiding Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has offered to assist in conveying more Nigerians willing to return from South Africa.

This is as the list of Nigerians willing to return to the country has risen beyond 1,000.

It was learnt that the list has more people still coming forward to be documented.

The evacuation of next batch of those ready to return home is likely to take place tomorrow, it was learnt.


https://www.news9naija.com.ng/2019/09/13/ex-au-envoy-urges-nigeria-south-africa-to-revive-commission/
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4kShttt.. no way..

All Africa countries should cut off ties with those disgrace of a bush people

https://www.news9naija.com.ng/2019/09/13/ex-au-envoy-urges-nigeria-south-africa-to-revive-commission/
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