62
By Oscar Okhifo
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has condemned South African Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, over his alleged verbal attack on Nigeria’s newly accredited Ambassador to the country, Femi Fani-Kayode, following a diplomatic disagreement over the broadcast of his accreditation ceremony.
The disagreement followed the presentation of Fani-Kayode’s letters of credence to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria. The ceremony marked the posting of Nigeria’s first substantive ambassador to South Africa in four years.
The High Commission expressed displeasure that while the accreditation ceremonies of 15 newly appointed ambassadors were streamed live, the Nigerian delegation and its address were allegedly excluded from the broadcast by the South African media team.
According to the mission, when Fani-Kayode raised concerns over the omission, Magwenya took to social media to attack him rather than address the complaint.
The presidential spokesperson reportedly told the Nigerian diplomatic mission to “Stop disgracing yourself and your country”.
In a strongly worded response, the High Commission accused Magwenya of arrogance, diplomatic misconduct and undermining relations between the two countries.
“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 willfully and purposely burning the bridge of peace and reconciliation,” the mission stated.
The High Commission also recalled an earlier controversy in which Magwenya allegedly described the Presidents of Nigeria and Ghana as “peddlers of fake news” after the two leaders expressed concerns over persistent Afrophobia and xenophobia in South Africa.
It said Nigeria had refrained from responding to the remarks at the time in the interest of diplomatic restraint but maintained that the latest incident had exceeded acceptable limits.
“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. Did you really expect him to simply stomach your ill manners and keep quiet?
“If so you have misunderstood the character and nature of the Nigerian. We cannot be easily cowed,” the statement added.
The mission also disputed Magwenya’s explanation that the Presidency had no involvement in the broadcast arrangements, insisting that other newly accredited ambassadors witnessed the incident and expressed displeasure over the treatment of the Nigerian delegation.
It further disclosed that it had video footage of the proceedings after the ceremony and was prepared to release it publicly if the dispute escalated.
The High Commission, however, acknowledged President Ramaphosa’s intervention, crediting him with helping to defuse the disagreement by directing Magwenya and the state broadcaster to address the situation.
“Thankfully your President had the decency and presence of mind to put out the fire and direct you and your state broadcaster to do the right thing. He literally saved the day,” it said.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful and mutually beneficial relations with South Africa, the mission stressed that diplomatic cooperation must be founded on mutual respect.
It added that it would not tolerate what it considered disrespect towards the Nigerian government, its ambassador or its citizens.
The statement ended with a warning against any further escalation of the dispute.
“To us this matter is closed but if you wish to escalate it you are welcome to do so and we are up to the task. A word is enough for the wise.”