Xenophobia Attacks: President Buhari heads to South Africa

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari is expected to depart Nigeria for South Africa on a three day state visit.

The visit follows an invitation by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa after relations between Africa’s two biggest economies soured after a wave of xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg and other cities last month.

The two leaders are expected to discuss “the welfare of Nigerians and find common grounds for building harmonious relations with their hosts

Nigerian government believes the businesses of its citizens were targeted in the attacks and president Buhari sent an envoy to South Africa to “express Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens”.

Mr Buhari will be keen to show Nigerians that he is doing everything he can to protect their interests.

Anger at the perceived targeting of Nigerians during last month’s attacks, led to the looting of South African businesses in the west African country. 

Hundreds of Nigerian citizens have since left South Africa.