Xenophobic: South Africa shuts embassy in Nigeria

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South Africa said Thursday it has closed its diplomatic missions in the Nigerian cities of Abuja and Lagos following violence carried out against South African businesses in reprisal for attacks on foreign-owned stores in Johannesburg.

“After receiving reports and threats from some of the Nigerians we decided to temporarily close while we are assessing the situation,” foreign ministry spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele said, adding the missions were shut on Wednesday.

“So we will be monitoring the situation and when we see it necessary to open, we will re-open,” he said. He said the decision to suspend operations at the two missions was made after “a group of people… came and tried to force themselves in” at the Lagos consulate.