Nigerian mission fires back at Ramaphosa’s spokesman

Résumé détaillé

The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has accused President Ramaphosa’s spokesman of bringing his country into disrepute in a diplomatic row. Read More:…

The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, of bringing his country into disrepute, telling him that he was the “disgrace and no-one else” in the ongoing diplomatic dispute involving Nigeria’s newly accredited High Commissioner, Femi Fani-Kayode.

The mission, in a fresh response to Magwenya on X on Saturday, accused the presidential spokesman of displaying “insolence and ignorance” and deliberately undermining efforts to promote peace and reconciliation between Nigeria and South Africa.

“You are the disgrace and no-one else. Outside of that, your insolence and ignorance knows no bounds. You are bringing your nation into disrepute and wilfully and purposely burning the bridge of peace and reconciliation. That is a matter of concern to us,” the mission said.

It faulted Magwenya for describing Fani-Kayode as a liar shortly after he presented his letters of credence to Ramaphosa, questioning whether the envoy was expected to remain silent after what it described as disrespectful treatment of him and Nigeria.

“Today you are calling our newly-accredited Ambassador to your country a liar as well, barely a few hours after he presented his letters of credence. You also claim that he has disgraced our country simply because he complained to your President about a slight which your media team subjected him and our nation to,” it added.

The mission also recalled an earlier controversy in which Magwenya reportedly described Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Ghanaian President John Mahama as peddlers of fake news after they expressed concerns about Afrophobia and xenophobia in South Africa.

It said Nigeria had ignored the earlier comments but warned that the spokesman’s latest remarks were provocative and undiplomatic.

“Why can’t you leave this matter for the diplomats to resolve rather than attempting to add fuel to fire?

The High Commission further claimed that other ambassadors witnessed what happened during the…

Début de l'article, extrait de Punch. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.