The federal government Wednesday decided to pull out of the World Economic Forum on Africa holding in Capetown, South Africa, from September 4 to September 6, 2019 over attacks on its citizens in the country.
A top Presidency source, who disclosed this to State House correspondents, said the country’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Bala, would also be recalled for consultation over the xenophobic attacks.
The source, who pleaded for anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said this was the outcome of a meeting by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama.
He said the meeting was held to brainstorm on the raging xenophobic attacks of Nigerians in South Africa.
He said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was already scheduled to represent Nigeria at the World Economic Forum on Africa but it has now been cancelled.
On Tuesday, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Malawi pulled out of the forum due to the current attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
Presidents Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Peter Mutharika (Malawi) have all withdrawn from the event.
The source said Nigeria would also insist on full compensation for the victims of the attacks.
He said the country would take all the necessary steps to protect its citizens against any form of harassment or intimidation.
