South Africa Shuns Jonathan, Says "We Will Discuss With Buhari Next Month"

South Africa has faulted the decision of the federal
government to recall its high commissioners,
saying it would communicate diplomatically with
Nigeria when Muhammadu Buhari becomes
president in May.
Recalling that it did not take a similar action when
many of its citizens where trapped during the
collapse of a guest house at the Synagogue
Church of All Nations in Lagos, it described the
reaction of the Nigerian government as
“unfortunate and regrettable”.
“The South African government takes note that
the outgoing government of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria has recalled its acting high
commissioner to South Africa,” read a statement
issued by Clayson Monyela, spokesperson of the
department of international relations and
cooperation.
“A government resorts to such an extraordinary
diplomatic step to express outrage at actions or
behaviour of another government.
“We are not sure which actions or behaviour of
the South African Government the Nigerian
Government is protesting. It is only Nigeria that
has taken this unfortunate and regrettable step. If
this action is based on the incidents of attacks on
foreign nationals in some parts of our country, it
would be curious for a sisterly country to want to
exploit such a painful episode for whatever
agenda.
“Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has just
returned from Indonesia to attend the Africa-Asia
Summit and the 60th Anniversary of the historic
Bandung Conference. At no stage did the Nigerian
delegation present at that gathering, express its
intention to formally raise the issue with the
South African side.
“South Africa remains committed to a strong
bond of friendship and bilateral relations with
Nigeria. It is for this reason that when 84 of our
citizens perished on Nigerian soil, we did not
blame the Nigerian Government for the deaths
and more than nine (9) months delay in the
repatriation of the bodies of our fallen
compatriots, or for the fact that when these
bodies eventually returned, they were in a state
that they could not be touched or viewed as
required by our burial practice.
“We will raise our concerns through diplomatic
channels with the new administration that will
assume office in Nigeria next month.”
In a manner that appears to be a mockery of
government’s handling of the insurgency in the
country, the statement added that South Africa
has been able to bring the xenophobic attack
under control and has been receiving support
from other African countries.
“Through our interventions, relative calm and
order has been restored,” the statement read.
“We are encouraged by the solidarity our country
continues to receive from other African countries
and the international community.
“We shall also continue to support and not blame
the Nigerian government as it battles to deal with
Boko Haram that continues to kill many innocent
civilians. We hope that the more than 200 girls
kidnapped by Boko Haram will someday be
reunited with their families.”