South Africa’s Consul General in Lagos, Professor Bobby J. Moroe, has sued for healing and reconciliation between Nigeria and South Africa over xenophobic violence, declaring perpetrators do not represent the soul of South Africa.
Speaking at the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Forum in Lagos, Moroe said South African government condemned the criminality by vigilante groups and has arrested over 80 suspects across six provinces for prosecution.
“Let us fall in love again with each other’s land,” Moroe said. “How can a moment of anger erase a lifetime of solidarity? Nigeria stood by us when the world remained silent. You funded our freedom, you carried our struggle in your chest. Our struggle was your struggle, our pain was your pain, and indeed, our freedom is your freedom.”
He noted South African constitution protects both regular and irregular migrants and only law enforcement can handle migration issues, describing reprisals in Nigeria as response to fake news.
“These acts seek to undermine us and the foundations upon which our democracy was founded. But they will never break. What is built on sacrifice does not crumble easily. Family does not walk away when it gets difficult. Family leans in,” he said.
Moroe said healing must live in work, trade and job creation, urging both nations to speak with one voice to demand two permanent UN Security Council seats with veto for Africa and reform of Bretton Woods institutions.
