Over a year ago, I wrote an article on xenophobia being a dent on the black populace and down the line the pathetic and reckless maiming of lives has continued and reached its crescendo thus triggering a serious backlash from those that have been victimized either directly or indirectly. But what is rather perturbing is the prolonged silence of the government over this matter; why must the government wait for the people to show their frustrations on South-African owned businesses before coming to terms with the reality on ground?

That brings to the fore the competence of our leaders in dealing with this sort of problem and speaking out on behalf of their citizens who are treated with disdain in South Africa. And, while the xenophobic trends in South Africa might have highlighted the maladroitness of the Nigerian government - with her citizens being significantly affected by the attacks - it has to be said that the African Union deserves some sticks too.

It is however of necessity that I start from the home-front, and it is in this stead that I will first like to commend the efforts of Honourable Abike Dabiri who has been quite proactive in her capacity as the Chair of the ‘‘Nigerians in Diaspora Commission‘‘. She has thus far been very vocal in seeking justice for Nigerian citizens who have been killed or adversely affected by the spate of killings in South Africa - and even in some other foreign nations. Beyond her efforts however, the Nigerian government has been passive in its approach towards addressing this issue which has so far left these unfortunate events to fester as we have it today. How does one explain the protracted silence of the government over incidences that has its citizens molested and killed in a foreign land time and again?

he only reason officials from South African commission will implausibly come out to deny that these attacks are targeted at Nigerians - and probably people from other nations - is because of the lacuna and incompetence [on the part of the Nigerian government] in doing what is needful. Since there has been no definitive actions taken by the government, individuals like Thabang Mokhoena (@Teq_Mokhoena), who take pleasure in seeing a fellow human moan to death will not cease to make a mockery of the nation on the pages of social media. It is saddening that numerous lives will be obliterated and the seating government of an acclaimed giant will keep developing cold hands and not be able to grasp the bull by the horn

On its part, the South African government with the country’s law enforcement agency appear to be out depth when it comes to curtailing these incidents…or could it be that they are all in this together? How does one explain the picture of the South African police officer laughing as he watches a foreigner burn to death or the statement attributed to South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Police, Bongani Mkongi who seems to support or fuel the trend? Why should someone like him even hold such a sensitive post as he does if the government is desirous of quelling the fiery menace of xenophobia? Let us call a spade what it truly is; South Africa have half-baked politicians at the helms of affairs - ours cannot be said to be very different, by the way. What has become of diplomacy and the promotion of international politics?

Where is your voice, African Union?

Xenophobia is not a new thing; it has been on for decades now, and it is not just about Nigerians as citizens of other African nations have been involved too. So, how is it that the leaders of different African nations have not found a lasting solution to this very menace that have bedevilled the peaceful co-existence of the black race? We should not be so overwhelmed by the need to institute sound economic and socio-cultural frameworks that we forget that the life of every African citizen [irrespective of his/her geographical location] matter a great deal. The government of South Africa must be called to order and if need be, rendered help to fight xenophobia to a standstill. If xenophobia is to be quelled, it has to be on a united front just as was the commitment to free the then grossly apartheid nation. Africa must unite to deal with this scourge and the onus is on her leaders to take a stand and be counted.