Kenya calls on South African authorities to protect property of foreign nationals
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenyan citizens are amongst foreigners caught up in xenophobic attacks ravaging South Africa, the Kenyan foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
"We woke up to troubling news about xenophobic attacks against non-nationals in several places in South Africa," said Kenya's foreign Ministry Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma.
The Cabinet Secretary said the Kenyan High Commission in South Africa had received reports of two Kenyans falling victim to the on going xenophobic violence.
According to the Kenyan High Commission, two Kenyans were among foreign nationals affected by the xenophobic attacks. "Our embassy in South Africa is in close contact with the Government to ensure the safety of Kenyans and protection of their property," Juma said in a tweet.
The Kenyan foreign ministry Cabinet Secretary said Kenya welcomed the strong condemnation of these attacks by the Government of South Africa.
"We hope the ethos and values of Pan Africanism will prevail over narrow nationalisms and be the bonds that glue us together as African brothers and sisters," Juma said.
Earlier, the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat condemned the xenophobic violence. The AUC chief said: "I reiterate AUC’s continued commitment to support the South African govt in addressing the root causes that led to these despicable acts, in order to promote peace and stability, within the framework of the African Union’s longstanding principles of continental solidarity."
Faki said he was encouraged by the news of arrests and call for further immediate steps to protect the lives of people and their property, ensure that all perpetrators are brought to account for their acts.
He also called for justice to be done to those who suffered economic and other losses. Most commentators said Wednesday that it was regrettable the spate of xenophobic attacks were becoming more regular.
Xenophobic violence occur on a more regular scale. The xenophobic attacks in South Africa have ignited a debate about Pan Africanism and the contribution of the foreign nationals living in South Africa to the country's economic wellness or meltdown.
Commentators in Kenya argued the South African youth were misjudging the foreigners contributions to their country's economic wellness.
In Kenya, the public sentiment against the xenophobic violence in South Africa was strong.
Kenyan social commentator George Nyongesa equated the xenophobia in South Africa to ethnic chauvinism in Kenya.
"As you condemn the madness of xenophobic acts going on in South Africa, do not forget that right here at home called Kenya, you condone and reward tribalism. The thinking behind xenophobia is the same as the thinking behind tribalism," said Nyongesa.
-0- PANA AO/VAO 4Sept2019
