South Africa's latest attempt to defuse mounting diplomatic tensions with Nigeria over renewed xenophobic attacks has suffered a setback after President Bola Tinubu reportedly declined to receive a special delegation sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Nigeria's president Tinubu turned down a request to meet the delegation, led by South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, directing instead that the envoys hold talks with Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Citing multiple Presidency sources, The Punch reported that the delegation arrived in Abuja on Friday seeking an audience with Tinubu but was informed that the President would only decide on Monday whether to receive them. When Monday came, the meeting was reportedly declined.
"They actually came here on Friday wanting to see the President. But there was no prior notice," one Presidency source told The Punch.
"And we said we can't just allow you to see the President without first asking him if he is available. So we asked, and the President said they could come on Monday."
