The Nigerian high commission in South Africa and the South African presidency have continued to exchange sharp words as tensions between both countries escalate over Femi Fani-Kayode’s credentials presentation ceremony.
Earlier, the Nigerian high commission backed Fani-Kayode,
its high commissioner, over his allegation that the South African presidency
had “refused” to air his speech during its livestream of ambassadors presenting
their letters of credence.
However, the host country said it was only a “minor
operational issue”.
Responding to the high commission, Vincent Magwenya,
spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the president does not
intervene in operational matters at the public broadcasters and did not do so
on Fani-Kayode’s behalf.
“Even when it’s institutionalised a lie remains a lie. There
was no such intervention from the president or the presidency, and there will
never be,” Magwenya said.
“Read our constitution and laws and familiarise yourself
with the SABC editorial code. Stop disgracing yourself and your country.”
NIGERIAN HIGH COMMISSION RESPONDS
However, in a lengthy statement, the Nigerian high
commission said Magwenya was “the disgrace and no-one else”.
“The only thing that is inappropriate is the shameful way
that you and your team behaved,” the statement reads.
The high commission accused Magwenya of wilfully burning the
bridge of peace and reconciliation between Nigeria and South Africa.
It alleged that Magwenya had called Fani-Kayode a liar and
accused him of disgracing Nigeria barely hours after presenting 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 commission also revisited an earlier dispute, alleging
that Magwenya had described the presidents of Nigeria and Ghana as purveyors of
fake news after they raised concerns about xenophobia in South Africa.
It urged Ramaphosa’s
spokesperson to allow diplomats to resolve the latest disagreement.
The commission claimed that other newly accredited
ambassadors witnessed the incident and said it possessed footage of proceedings
after the official photographs were taken.
It added that the footage could be released if authorisation
was granted.
The mission praised Ramaphosa’s intervention, saying he
directed officials and the state broadcaster to address the matter.
“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.
The commission said it considered the dispute closed but
warned that it was prepared to respond to further exchanges.
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