‘Xenophobic Attacks is a Classic Case of a Pharaoh Who Knew not Joseph’ – Senator I.D Gyang

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Istifanus Dung Gyang has described the xenophobic attacks in South Africa on Nigeria citizens as a classic case of a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph saying that Nigeria was to South Africa what Joseph was to Egypt.

Gyang expressed shock at how South Africans quickly forgot the sacrifices Nigerians made to ensure the liberation of South Africa from the Apartheid regime.

The Senator representing Plateau North described the attacks as a product of ‘envy and jealousy’ stating that it was ‘misplaced, unacceptable and condemnable.’

The statement reads in part:

“Nigeria is to South Africa what Joseph was to Egypt who saved that nation from famine and economic ruin. That notwithstanding, a time came after the death of Joseph that a Pharaoh arose that knew not the role that Joseph played to preserve Egypt and came up with a policy to weaken and destroy the economic base of the Jews and even turn them into slaves as recorded in Exodus 1:6 -11.

“Nigeria played a key role in the liberation of South Africa from the Apartheid regime. Today, South Africans have suddenly forgotten all the sacrifices that Nigeria and Nigerians made and like the Egyptians, see Nigerians doing business in their country as a threat hence the Xenophobic attacks.

“Xenophobic attacks are hate attacks driven by envy and jealousy as black South Africans attribute their backward economic status to the resourcefulness and viability of foreigners, especially Nigerians.” The statement said.

According to Mr Musa Ashoms, Special Assistant, Media and Protocol, Gyang urged Civil Society groups to organise peaceful protests to pressure South African Government to stop the attacks.

“Civil Society groups can organize peaceful protest rallies under the close watch of the police to further pressure South African government to stop the attacks, provide remedies for human rights violations, and ensure that justice is done.” He said.

The Senator appealed to Nigerians not to repay xenophobia with xenophobic revenge as doing so may play into the hands of hoodlums and criminals who will invariably take advantage to loot shops of other Nigerians.

Gyang said, “As we await an appropriate reciprocal response by the Nigerian government, I align myself with calls for the South African government to pay full compensation to Nigerians whose businesses were destroyed and to take steps to stop further attacks.”

The new xenophobic attacks broke out in South Africa penultimate Sunday which has made the Nigerian government to dispatch a special envoy to the country to determine the situation in addition to shutting down the nation’s High Commission in South Africa.