South Africa closes embassy in Nigeria after xenophobic violence

South Africa's Foreign ministry has announced the closing of its diplomatic missions in the Nigerian cities of Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria following reprisal attacks by Nigerians stirred up by xenophobic violence in South Africa.

"After receiving reports and threats from some of the Nigerians we decided to temporarily close while we are assessing the situation," foreign ministry spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele said, adding the missions were closed on Wednesday.

"So we will be monitoring the situation and when see it necessary to open, we will re-open," he added.

He revealed they decided to suspend diplomatic operations in Nigeria after "a group of people... came and tried force themselves in" at the Lagos consulate.

"It was on those basis that we felt we need to protect the employees and shut it down".

Deadly attacks on foreign-owned stores in South Africa's commercial hub Johannesburg, between Sunday and Wednesday prompted reprisals against South African businesses in Nigerian cities. South African telecoms giant MTN was forced to close its shops in Nigeria as a precaution. Nigeria's government has warned against such violence in Nigeria, and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has sent an envoy to South Africa to "express Nigeria's displeasure over the treatment of her citizens". He also summoned the South African ambassador for talks on Tuesday.

South Africa's foreign minister called the recent attacks on foreigners in South Africa an embarrassment for her country. According to national broadcaster SABC, minister Naledi Pandor said, "Our government regrets all violence against foreign-owned stores or Africans from other countries who are resident in South Africa."

Nigeria has declared it will boycott the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, which was to be attended by its vice president Yemi Osinbajo. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Malawi’s Peter Mutharika have also pulled out of the conference, but their governments have not given an official reason for their no-show.

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