Nigeria's Senate Rejects Economic Retaliation Against SA

Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Senate President of Nigeria, stated that Nigeria will not take retaliatory economic measures against South Africa in response to persistent xenophobic attacks on its citizens. Akpabio emphasized that diplomatic engagement is the best approach to resolve the crisis between the two countries.

He acknowledged the seriousness of the attacks and the need for urgent attention. The Senate has decided to form a joint ad hoc committee, which will include members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, to address the rise in xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

This committee, led by the chairman of the National Assembly, will conduct a fact-finding diplomatic visit to South Africa to seek a lasting solution to the crisis. Additionally, the Senate plans to write to the Speaker of the South African Parliament to invite Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs for a briefing on the outcomes of their engagement.