Daud Olatunji
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that apartheid would not have ended in South Africa when it did without Nigeria’s sustained support for the struggle against white minority rule.
Obasanjo made the assertion while speaking in an interview on C-Suite Cafe, hosted by Ikem Okuhu, where he reflected on Nigeria’s historic role in the liberation of Southern Africa and the country’s relationship with South Africa.
South Africa held its first democratic, non-racial elections in 1994, bringing the apartheid era to an end.
According to the former President, Nigeria’s intervention in the anti-apartheid struggle was not motivated by economic or political gains but by a commitment to racial equality and the dignity of Africans.
“We were not doing what we did in South Africa or in Southern Africa or decolonisation anywhere for our personal gain or for our country. We did it for our race.
“I believe that no black man anywhere or black person anywhere should be regarded as an inferior human being because of his colour,” Obasanjo said.
The former military Head of State, who governed Nigeria between 1976 and 1979 and later served as civilian President from 1999 to 2007, described Nigeria’s support for the liberation struggle as an example of “enlightened self-interest.”
He stressed that Nigeria did not support the anti-apartheid campaign with the expectation of receiving material benefits in return.
“And for me—and I believe for Nigeria at that time and even now—we should be proud of what we did because without Nigeria, South Africa would not have got rid of apartheid when it got rid of it. That is true,” he said.
Obasanjo recalled that Nigeria worked alongside several African and international leaders in the campaign against apartheid and colonialism.
Among those he mentioned were Tanzania’s former President Julius Nyerere, Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda, Mozambique’s Samora Machel, former United States President Jimmy Carter, former British Prime Minister James Callaghan and former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palmer
The former President also condemned the recurring xenophobic attacks against African migrants, particularly Nigerians, in South Africa, saying the country’s authorities had not done enough to tackle the problem.
He acknowledged that some migrants could be in the country illegally or could have committed crimes, but argued that such violations could not justify mob violence or attacks on their homes and businesses.
“I do not believe that you use illegality to treat illegality, asking and encouraging area boys and area girls to break into their houses and break into their shops,” Obasanjo said.
He also rejected claims that African migrants were merely taking jobs away from South Africans, arguing that some migrants contribute to the South African economy by establishing businesses and creating employment opportunities.
His comments came against the backdrop of renewed concerns over attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The National Assembly last week suspended all legislative engagements with South Africa over what lawmakers described as persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
Reports cited by TheCable indicate that about 100 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022.
Obasanjo’s intervention has consequently renewed attention on Nigeria’s historic contribution to the liberation of South Africa and the growing diplomatic tensions arising from attacks on Nigerians living and doing business in the country.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
