S.Africa shutters Nigeria embassy after xenophobic attacks

South Africa said Thursday it had temporarily closed its diplomatic missions in Nigeria following violence against South African businesses carried out in reprisal for attacks on foreign-owned stores in Johannesburg.

"After receiving reports and threats from some of the Nigerians we decided to temporarily close while we are assessing the situation," foreign ministry spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele said.

The embassy in Abuja and consulate in Lagos were shut on Wednesday, he said.

He told AFP the decision was made to protect employees after "groups of people" tried to force their way into the Lagos consulate.

"We will be monitoring the situation," said Ngqengelele.

"When we see it necessary to open, we will re-open."
"I call for peace between countries and African people."
Meanwhile, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote -- reputedly Africa's richest man -- said violence between Africans hindered "our aspirations for a shared and sustainable prosperity."