UN Secretary-General urges South Africa to end xenophobic attacks
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
UN Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres has called on South Africa to stop xenophobic attacks and the intimidation of foreign nationals. Through his spokesperson, Mr St茅phane Dujarric, Guterres condemned criminal acts and incitement to violence against migrants in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape Province. He highlighted that South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle was founded on global and African solidarity, stating that "violence, vigilantism and all forms of incitement to hatred have no place in an inclusive, democratic society." The UN chief also noted the significant contributions of people from across the continent to South Africa's development. While acknowledging the country's socio-economic challenges, Guterres welcomed the government's commitment to the National Action Plan against Racism and Xenophobia. He stressed the importance of prompt, independent, and impartial investigations into recent violence against foreign nationals. Guterres also extended greetings to South Africa on its Freedom Day.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Fashola, has called on Nigerians to view elections as inherently imperfect processes and to focus on strengthening democratic institutions rather than constantly disputing results. Speaking at The Platform, a public policy forum in Lagos, Fashola explained that the complexity of conducting nationwide elections, especially presidential elections, involves extensive logistical operations that make absolute perfection difficult. He noted that thousands of polling units across the country must perform the same procedures simultaneously under varying conditions. Fashola stated that electoral shortcomings are not unique to Nigeria, pointing out that even established democracies acknowledge such challenges while working to improve their systems. He expressed concern about the growing tendency among some political actors to reject election results, warning that this attitude could hinder democratic growth and stability. Fashola emphasized the vital role of opposition parties in democratic governance and stressed that democracy extends beyond just elections, urging broader conversations about democratic values and governance.
Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, has appealed to Nigerians, corporate organizations, state governments, faith-based institutions, community leaders, and development partners to assist in the reintegration of 258 Nigerians who recently returned from South Africa. The minister emphasized that while the government has provided initial assistance, broader societal involvement is crucial for sustainable reintegration. He stated that the returnees, who arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos via a Federal Government-facilitated Air Peace flight, require collective support to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Doro highlighted that democracy involves how society treats vulnerable citizens and those facing difficult circumstances, and many returnees need support to recover emotionally and economically. Reintegration efforts will include humanitarian assistance and economic empowerment programs. The minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and acknowledged the roles of various agencies involved in the evacuation, urging Nigerians to embrace the returnees and support their reintegration as a collective responsibility for nation-building.
The African Democratic Congress ADC has issued an open letter, signed by its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, asserting that democracy under President Bola Tinubu's administration has not improved the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Marking Democracy Day, the opposition party stated that the true measure of democracy lies in its impact on citizens' lives, not merely the duration since military rule ended. The ADC challenged Nigerians to consider if they are safer, more prosperous, or have greater confidence in the government than in the past, concluding that the answer is a "resounding no." The party accused the All Progressives Congress APC-led government of presiding over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public trust. According to the ADC, insecurity has reached alarming levels, with daily killings and kidnappings, while the economy faces a severe cost-of-living crisis impacting workers, small businesses, and young people. The ADC attributed these challenges to poor leadership and ineffective policies, arguing that the government offers no solutions beyond "condolence messages" and "propaganda." The party proposed an alternative vision, advocating for intelligence-led, technology-driven, and community-based security, with economic policies focused on reducing hardship, supporting small businesses, and lowering food prices. The ADC also called for reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability in democratic institutions, emphasizing th