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A fresh round of violence is reportedly building up in the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa, as armed protesters are out again, demanding that foreigners should leave the country.
        According to Sowetan Live, a South African newspaper, the protesters, who carried weapons such as knobkerries, were waiting to be addressed by Mongosuthu Buthelezi, a notable politician and Zulu leader. This is coming one week after attacks on foreigners sparked reactions across the continent. Last week, Nigeria, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi pulled out of the World Economic Forum in South Africa, while Zambia cancelled an international friendly football match with South Africa over the violence against foreigners. In reprisal, mobs attacked South African-owned businesses across Nigeria, while the Rainbow nation shut down its high commission and consulate in Abuja and Lagos. President Muhammadu Buhari immediately dispatched a special envoy to his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, to register Nigeria’s displeasure. Notwithstanding the frosty relationship, the acting South African high commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Bobby Moroe, has said his country remained committed to strengthening bilateral ties with Nigeria. He told told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, in Abuja that the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa would remain strong and on course. The envoy said President Buhari and his South African counterpart, Ramaphosa, were expected to meet in October to discuss modalities to address attacks on Nigerians living in that country.
        Meanwhile, in a statement by Khusela Diko, spokesperson to the President, the South African Government said President Buhari’s state visit would reinforce the bond between both countries. Diko stated that the visit next month would further strengthen their bond and jointly develop responses to challenges affecting people and businesses in South Africa and Nigeria. According to him, President Ramaphosa held discussions on September 6 with Nigeria’s special envoy, Amb. Ahmed Abubakar, on violence in South Africa and developments in Nigeria around South African businesses. The visit to Pretoria by the special envoy followed a recent meeting between Presidents Ramaphosa and Buhari in Yokohama, Japan, on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. In their discussion, the special envoy conveyed President Buhari’s concern at recent events in South Africa, in context of the strong and cordial relations that characterise the interaction between the two countries. President Buhari conveyed his commitment to the values of prosperity and the advancement of Africa that are shared by South Africa and Nigeria. Nigeria stands ready to assist South Africa in establishing the root causes of and developing sustainable solutions to the challenges concerned. President Buhari has undertaken that, where challenges emerge in Nigeria, the Nigerian government will act against lawlessness and the targeting of South African assets in Nigeria,” Diko said. According to him, President Ramaphosa also reaffirmed South Africa-Nigeria relations to be firm. Diko added that both partners remained resolute in a shared commitment to building Africa at peace with itself and others.