According to reports, Nigeria has accused South Africa today
of blocking a legal arms purchase and threatened retaliation against major
South African companies, including telecom giant MTN, if the spat is not
resolved.
of blocking a legal arms purchase and threatened retaliation against major
South African companies, including telecom giant MTN, if the spat is not
resolved.
A top official in the office of Nigeria’s National Security
Advisor (NSA) told AFP that the country had an agreement to buy $5.7 million worth
of military hardware in a deal brokered by a South African firm, but the funds
were seized and the hardware not delivered.
Advisor (NSA) told AFP that the country had an agreement to buy $5.7 million worth
of military hardware in a deal brokered by a South African firm, but the funds
were seized and the hardware not delivered.
He said President Goodluck Jonathan had called his South
African counterpart Jacob Zuma to inform him about the purchase and he was
therefore surprised to learn that the deal had been blocked.
African counterpart Jacob Zuma to inform him about the purchase and he was
therefore surprised to learn that the deal had been blocked.
“You cannot be making so much money from Nigeria and then
turn around and embarrass the people,” the NSA official said.
turn around and embarrass the people,” the NSA official said.
Zuma’s spokesman Mac Maharaj declined to comment on the
reported conversation between the two leaders, but told AFP the president was
not part of the committee that reviews arms deals.
reported conversation between the two leaders, but told AFP the president was
not part of the committee that reviews arms deals.
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