Xenophobia: President Zuma makes telephone call to Jonathan

The South African President Jacob Zuma has spoken with President Goodluck Jonathan over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians residing in South Africa.

Both Presidents reaffirmed the need for their countries to work together.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the South African Presidency, President Zuma had a telephone conversation with his Nigerian counterpart on the need not to allow the recent attacks on some Nigerians and their businesses create any diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

The statement said, “The two Presidents reaffirmed the warm and cordial relations between South Africa and Nigeria and pledged that the two countries will continue to work together for the good of their peoples and the continent as a whole.

“President Jonathan expressed his support for the efforts of South Africa to arrest the attacks on foreign nationals and to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, including foreign nationals and those from the African continent in particular, who bore the brunt of the attacks earlier this month (April).”

The statement added that Zuma would attend the inauguration of the President-elect of Nigeria, Maj. Gen Muhammadu Buhari, which is expected to hold on May 29.