When giants butt heads

11 March 2012 - 02:06 By Sunday Times Editorial
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South African Airways
South African Airways
Image: Business Day

IN the past few days, South Africa and Nigeria have engaged in yet another unseemly diplomatic spat. On March 2, 125 Nigerians were deported from OR Tambo International Airport, ostensibly for being in possession of fraudulent yellow fever certificates.

Three days later, in retaliation, Nigerians chased out of their country 28 South Africans who had just jetted into Lagos with South African Airways. The reason: invalid documentation.

Thus began a nasty round of head-butting between the continent's economic superpowers. Relations between the two countries are sometimes strained, despite the closeness of the past when Nigeria helped in the fight against apartheid. Sometimes such spats play out on a continental stage, such as the African Union. The two nations often don't see eye to eye when it comes to dealing with continental issues. A case in point is the Libyan conflict which saw South Africa taking a long time before endorsing the new rebel government while Nigeria was swift to do so.

The two nations are also jostling to occupy a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council - if it ever becomes available. So, behind these unfortunate spats we are witnessing great nations that were once warm towards each other behaving according to the dictates of realpolitik, even if they harm any potential for continental unity.

It's particularly tragic to witness two continental superpowers turning on each other, squabbling over petty issues rather than applying their minds to pertinent matters of trade, globalisation, technology and development.

Instead you have Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru threatening to clamp down on South African companies doing business in Nigeria.

"Their companies here in Nigeria are making more profit than in South Africa. They bring in half-baked graduates and place them above better qualified Nigerians, and we have been overlooking that. There are many ways to hit back," Ashiru told the Nigerian Senate.

South Africa subsequently apologised for the initial incident. Nigeria wants a South African envoy to bring the apology in person. Tragic.

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