Xenophobia: Rights groups want Sadc leader President Magufuli to act
What you need to know:
- Tanzania’s president John Magufuli in August took over as Sadc Chair, leading a bloc of 16 countries in Southern Africa.
- The rights groups in Dar es Salaam have appealed to him to use his powers as leader of the bloc to act on the ongoing xenophobic attacks.
Dar es Salaam. The Southern Africa Human Rights NGO-network (Sahringon) –Tanzania chapter on Friday September 6 spoke out against xenophobic attacks in South Africa and called on the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) Chairman President John Magufuli to take urgent action on the violence.
The Sahringon, which includes Action for Change (Acha) and The Right Way (TRW) called a press conference in Dar es Salaam and condemned the wake of attacks on foreigners by South Africans.
They want President Magufuli, who took over the Chairmanship of a bloc of 16 countries in Southern Africa, Sadc, to use his powers to act on the xenophobic attacks.
The National Coordinator for Sahringon, Ms Martina Kabisama, said, "We have great confidence in the diplomatic capacity of the current President of Tanzania and we would like to take this privilege to request him to make a move.”
“We believe this will not be a hard task for Tanzania since we are historically experienced in championing the liberation movements for our neighboring countries," said Ms Kabisama
Ms Kabisama emphasized that African leaders should develop transformative leadership and work collectively against xenophobia that is currently rooting in the region.
South African rioters in Johannesburg are targeting foreigners from other African countries. They have gone on streets torching their shops. Reports indicate that at least 10 people have died so far.
Tanzania’s Foreign Affairs Minister Prof Palamagamba Kabudi assured the public last Thursday that no Tanzanian had been reported killed in the ongoing violence.
The Chairperson of The Right Way (TRW) Mr Sebastian Masaki is calling on fellow Africans to take action. "We call on African citizens to stand firm towards sustainable peace and tranquility ever,’’ he said.
He said South Africa is a signatory to a number of international conventions which must be honoured.
South Africa is receiving a backslash over the attacks. High profile pop stars have announced a boycott. Air Tanzania has suspended flights to Johannesburg and Madagascar as well as Zambia are refusing to send their soccer teams. Nigeria has recalled its ambassador and pulled out of a major economic forum, reports show.
