Zuma calls Jonathan to avert diplomatic row

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa has had a telephone conversation with President Goodluck Jonathan over the xenophobic attacks in his country.

According to a statement released on Thursday by the presidency of South Africa, both leaders reaffirmed the need for their countries to work together and not allow the current situation create any diplomatic crisis.

“The two presidents reaffirmed the warm and cordial relations between South Africa and Nigeria and pledged that the two countries will continue to work together for the good of their peoples and the continent as a whole,” the statement read.

“President Jonathan expressed his support for the efforts of South Africa to arrest the attacks on foreign nationals and to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, including foreign nationals and those from the African continent in particular, who bore the brunt of the attacks earlier this month.”

The statement added that Zuma would attend the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s president-elect, on May 29.

South Africa had taken a different position earlier, taunting Jonathan over the controversial recall of the Nigerian ambassador to its country.