The ongoing and escalating violence in Nigeria must be condemned in the strongest terms. The use of military force against innocent civilians undermines human rights, democratic principles and freedom.
This comes as the Nigerian people and citizens of Lagos State are protesting for police reforms and an end to systemic corruption and brutality whereby military force has been used, and many have been tragically killed.
The IFP calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently intervene to raise this matter at the UN Security Council and, as Chairperson of the African Union, to call for an extraordinary meeting together with the ECOWAS regional block, in order to ensure that the stability of the West African region is not threatened.
South Africa has a role to play in calling out any injustices that arise on the African continent. We cannot idly stand by while our fellow African brothers and sisters are being brutally killed by their own government.
Furthermore, we call on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to ascertain the safety of South African citizens currently living and working in Lagos, and Nigeria in general, and to ensure that through our missions, assistance is given to our citizens, where required.
We respect that Nigeria is a Federal Republic and therefore urge President Ramaphosa to reach out to his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari, to urge him to restore peace and security in the State of Lagos.
We welcome any form of investigation by the Federal Government of Nigeria to find the underlying cause of this matter and we call for calm, restraint and for dialogue, which may address the very relevant concerns expressed by protestors.
The IFP conveys our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who were killed during these protests, and we extend our condolences and stand united with the Nigerian people in South Africa.
Contact:
Mkhuleko Hlengwa, MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539
