The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has responded strongly to accusations made by Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, who claimed that Nigeria's High Commissioner, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, lied about President Cyril Ramaphosa intervening in a controversy surrounding his diplomatic credentials presentation. The Commission described Magwenya's conduct as provocative and diplomatically inappropriate.
According to the Nigerian High Commission, President Ramaphosa personally intervened to resolve the matter after Fani-Kayode raised concerns over the omission of his address during Friday's credentials ceremony in Tshwane. The Commission stated that Magwenya's denial of presidential intervention was unfounded, and that President Ramaphosa had indeed stepped in to resolve the disagreement.
The controversy began when the South African Presidency's YouTube livestream was apparently disrupted just as Fani-Kayode was about to present his letters of credence to President Ramaphosa. The live broadcast was subsequently restored when President Ramaphosa was addressing the ambassadors. Fani-Kayode expressed displeasure that his speech had been deliberately omitted and claimed he spoke with Ramaphosa, who apologized and assured him that everything was fine.
The Nigerian High Commission also recalled an earlier controversy in which Magwenya reportedly described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ghanaian President John Mahama as peddlers of fake news following their concerns about xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa. The Commission noted that Nigeria had previously refrained from escalating the matter.
The Commission questioned Magwenya's conduct towards Nigeria's newly accredited envoy, asking if he expected Fani-Kayode to simply stomach his ill manners and keep quiet. The Commission stated that it possesses the full video recording of events following the official photographs and that several newly accredited ambassadors witnessed the proceedings.
The Nigerian High Commission urged Magwenya to exercise restraint and embrace reconciliation, stressing that its concern was the preservation of cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa. The Commission declared that the matter was closed but that Magwenya was welcome to escalate it if he wished.
The Commission concluded by stating that it was up to the task and that a word was enough for the wise. The incident highlights the importance of diplomatic channels in resolving disputes between nations. The Nigerian High Commission's response demonstrates its commitment to maintaining good relations with South Africa while also defending its diplomatic representative.
Key points
- The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has clashed with Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya over a diplomatic credentials controversy.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa personally intervened to resolve the disagreement, according to the Nigerian High Commission.
- The incident highlights the importance of diplomatic channels in resolving disputes between nations.
