Issued by: The Department of Foreign Affairs
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO NIGERIA, H.E. MR G.S. NENE
"The South African High Commissioner, H.E. Mr G.S. Nene, returned to Lagos on 11 February 1996, exactly three months since he was recalled by President Nelson Mandela for consultations in protest of the Nigeria government's summary executive of MSOP eader Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni's.
The South African Government has condemned in the strongest possible terms these executions which were carried out despite appeals for clemency by various governments, including Pres. Mandela himself. In addition, the South African Government wishes to express concern over the continued detention of former President Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential elections Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and a host of other political detainees and pro-democracy activists, including those suspected of involvement in the alleged coup plot of 1994. Without attempting to interfere with the due process of law in Nigeria, the South African Government expresses the hope that these detainees will be given unhindered access to legal counsel and their families. At the same time the South African Government appeals for the immediate release of all political prisoners where applicable.
In resuming hisduties as High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Mr G.S. Nene will continue to promote bilateral relations between the two countries. As an emerging democracy, South Africa is ready to fulfill its role in promoting the well-being of the entire African continent.
The recent upsurge in political uncertainty and instability which gripped several West African nations since the start of 1996, is highly regrettable. The South Africa Government therefore once again appeals to all those concerned, to join in the international community's march towards global democracy and the universal respect for all basic and fundamental human rights. In view of the strategic role that Nigeria fulfills in West Africa it also carries the responsibility to act as a model to be emulated by its neighbours. The South African Government accordingly welcomes the process of democratisation upon which the military government of Nigeria has embarked and expresses the hope that this process well continue unabated and without undue delays. South Africa will remain supportive of Nigerians' quest for a democratically elected government, representative of all its peoples.
The South African Government furthermore wishes to deny recent allegations by certain sources inside Nigeria as to South Africa's alleged support of Nigerian pro-democracy groups in order to "destabilise" the country. These reports are baseless and are not in the interest of expanding relations between both our countries. The South African Government does, however, wish to reiterate its unequivocal support for all efforts to promote the growth of democracy everywhere in the world. This would also include listening and consulting with all parties representative of the Nigerian political spectrum. As part and parcel of these efforts no political leaders or groups inside or out of Nigeria would be denied a hearing by the South African Government.
At the same time, the South African Government will continue to forge its foreign policy on Nigeria in consultation with other Commonwealth governments, as was agreed at the most recent GHOGM meeting in Auckland. South Africa, together with seven other Commonwealth governments, will monitor the situation in Nigeria and will formulate its foreign policy regarding Nigeria within this framework, as well as in consultation with the member states of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU). The South African Government accordingly regrets the Federal Government's rejection of the CMAG initiative which effectively denies Nigeria the opportunity to present its case to the Commonwealth of nations. Together with the other CMAG members, South Africa therefore wishes to reiterate its appeal to Nigeria to reconsider its denial and access to the CMAG delegation.
The South African Government, cognisant of the important role that sport has played in the process of bringing about peace and reconciliation amongst its citizens, again expresses its regret at the absence of the Nigrian "Supr Eagles" football team from the most recent Africa Cup tournament. It is hoped that Nigerian sportsmen and women will in future be granted the opportunity by the Nigerian government to participate in international events.
LAGOS, 13 FEBRUARY 1996
ISSUED FOR THE SA HIGH COMMISSION IN LAGOS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA, 14 FEBRUARY 1996