Issued by: The Department of Foreign Affairs
NIGERIA: MEETING BETWEEN THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS NZO AND THE NIGERIAN CHARGE D'AFFAIRES ON NOVEMBER 3 1995
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alfred Nzo, today called on the Charge d'Affaires of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and expressed to him the deep concern of the South African Government at the death sentences imposed on Ken Saro-Wiwa, leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and at least eight other MOSOP members in Nigeria by a military tribunal in that country.
In conveying this concern, the Minister made it clear that the South African Government had no intention of intervening in the internal affairs of other countries. He pointed out however that South Africa's policy was based on democracy and human rights and that consequently the South African Government wished to appeal to the Nigerian Government to spare the lives of the persons concerned. The Minister added that the South African Government hoped that, in response to its appeal and other similar calls from the international community, clemency would be forthcoming."
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 03 NOVEMBER 1995