SA Xenophobic Attacks Scare Off Rwanda, DRC, Malawi From World Economic Forum

SA Xenophobic attacks affect World Economic Forum

The prevailing xenophobic attacks in South Africa have seen Rwanda, The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi pull out from the World Economic Forum on Africa in Capetown, South Africa, being held in September from 4th to 6th in retaliation.

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of the society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. It is expected to discuss regional architecture related to smart institutions, investment, integration, industry and innovation.

President Paul Kagame (Rwanda),  Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Peter Mutharika (Malawi) have all withdrawn from the event according to a South African Media house. These attacks were triggered after a taxi driver was murdered by an alleged drug dealer in Pretoria, with today marking its third day. At least five people have been killed as reported by police even as President Ramaphosa vowed to calm down the attacks.

Zambia has also followed into the footsteps of the others and cancelled an international friendly football match with South Africa’s national team Bafana Bafana that was scheduled to be played in Lusaka. The African Union, through AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki, and Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari have condemned the attacks. Buhari also instructed his foreign affairs minister to summon South Africa’s high commissioner to Nigeria over the violence.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa Amb. Jean Kamau said that they have reached out to the affected individuals and are working with local diaspora leaders to safeguard security by monitoring the situation.