The International Monetary Fund, IMF on Wednesday joined other African countries in condemning the xenophobic attacks that has pitched South Africans against their neighbours in the continent.
The Fund’s Senior Resident Representative and Mission Chief for Nigeria, African Department, Amine Mati, in a mailed statement to BusinessDay on the crises, said the Fund will continue to monitor the economic impact of the attacks on South Africa and its neighbors
“ We join the Nigerian and South African authorities in condemning the recent attacks in South Africa. While the human and physical toll is already unacceptable,
“ It is too early to assess the impact on the South African economy or the region. The IMF will continue to monitor developments and their possible economic impacts. ”
The Nigeria government had on Wednesday said it was prepared to take every measure to secure the safety of Nigerians in South Africa and protect them from further attacks, even as it stated that “ redlines have been drawn”
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama who stated this while briefing State House Correspondents, after meeting with President Muhammmadu Buhari, however revealed no Nigerian was killed in the latest attacks, contrary to what was portrayed in the social media.
Onyeama reechoed President Buhari’s appeal to Nigerians, not to take the laws into their hands by engaging in reprisal attacks against South Africans in Nigeria and their economic interests
The Minister said government is do8ng everything it can to protect Nigerians, adding that “we cannot state everything in public domain with regards to what we are doing obviously, but we want to assure all Nigerians that this government is determined that the redline has been drawn and we will not give in on this occasion and that the South African government has to assumed its responsibilities and do the right thing. Protect Nigerians and other Africans I might say in South Africa and we have to hold them to count”
He however disclosed that President Muhammmadu Buhari will any moment from now, address Nigerians on the “ real situation in South Africa” after all the necessary consultations.
The Xenophobic attacks have sparked diplomatic crises between South Africa and other African countries, with many threatening to boycott economic activities with South Africa.
Some African countries including Rwanda, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia have already announced that they are shelving further participation in the ongoing World Economic Forum WEF, Zahead to address based on the reports to be presented by the Special Envoy who will be in South Africa on Thursday and who is expected back before weekend.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
