TINUBU DECLINES MEETING WITH SOUTH AFRICAN ENVOY
ARISE News has learned that President Bola Tinubu will not meet a special envoy from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, according to sources familiar with the discussions at the Presidency.
Reports say the South African delegation, led by International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday carrying a message from President Ramaphosa. ARISE News understands the delegation sought a meeting with President Tinubu without prior notice.
The development follows renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, with Abuja continuing to press Pretoria to better protect its citizens and ensure accountability for the violence.
The delegation is now expected to meet Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, instead of President Tinubu.
ARISE News has reached out to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, for comment. Neither had responded by the time of this broadcast.
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Gyang Isaac: The first wise thing baba has done for me this year 😂 love you papi
Linzkits: Diplomacy is built on mutual respect and proper protocol. If reports are accurate that a presidential envoy sought to meet President Tinubu without prior arrangements, it's understandable that the meeting would not happen. At the same time, the repeated xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Afric...
LEXY BAYOADE: If this were President Donald Trump or another major Western leader, would President Ramaphosa have sent only an envoy without proper prior diplomatic engagement? Or would he have flown there himself?
LEXY BAYOADE: It's unfortunate that we sometimes elevate ourselves to the level of untouchable "mini gods" among fellow Africans, yet fail to treat matters of this magnitude with the urgency and respect they deserve. The safety of citizens facing xenophobic attacks is too serious for what appears to be a last-min...
LEXY BAYOADE: African leaders can and should do better. When lives, bilateral relations, and the image of our continent are at stake, leadership must be visible, proactive, and decisive not reactive.
Chukwudi Onwuelingo: It's a sign that what he's doing to our citizens is unjust and not acceptable.
Omotosho Kehinde Seun: Tinubu declining to meet an envoy that came without prior notice makes sense diplomatically. Protocol matters in international relations. But the bigger issue is the xenophobic attacks. Sending the delegation to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs still keeps the conversation going. Nigeria ne...
Mls Safiyanu Bari: We need action not mouth talks