By RFIPalled on 10-09-2019Modified on 10-09-2019 at 18:42

Nigeria is preparing to repatriate several hundred of its nationals living in South Africa. A measure taken after the outbreak of xenophobic violence in recent days. 12 people were killed and dozens of businesses held by foreigners looted and burned. A first plane must leave Johannesburg Wednesday, September 11th. The flight will be provided free of charge by the Nigerian airline Air Peace.

There are just over 600 Nigerians out of 100,000 in South Africa who have applied to leave. Among them, a pastor, husband and father of 5 children, who has lived in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, in the east of the country for 19 years: " I discovered that this country was not a safe place to live. humanity. Here, the human being has no value. To stay there with your family is to take a huge risk. Jesus said, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself'. These people have no love for anyone. They have no human value. "

This raz-le-bowl, Bartholomew Eziagulu said to have observed in many of his compatriots. He chairs the Association of Nigerian Citizens of South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal Province: " They decided to leave because the killings were too much and they could no longer continue their economic activities. They are people who have been working for years. Many Nigerians here have lost what they owned, lost hope, and no longer trust the South African government. "

This is not the first time that episodes of violence against immigrants are shaking South Africa. Already in 2015, several people had been killed in protests against foreigners in Durban .

According to Dr. Emeka Ugwu, president of the Nigerian Doctors Forum in Johannesburg, in regular contact with the consular authorities on the spot, no Nigerian has been killed in the xenophobic violence of recent days. This does not prevent the Nigerian authorities from playing the card of firmness.

A few days ago, Nigeria sent a special envoy to meet South African President Cyril Ramaphosa .

    On the same subject

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