Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by the country over recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, following consultations between the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The directive covers official visits, conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other engagements organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities. It also extends to virtual engagements.
The National Assembly said the action followed continuing reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, homes and other properties amid violent attacks.
“The National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice,” Ogunlana said.
The lawmakers said repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to protect foreign nationals and prosecute perpetrators had failed to prevent further attacks.
They urged the South African government to take urgent measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
The National Assembly stressed that the decision was not aimed at damaging Nigeria’s broader relationship with South Africa, describing it instead as an expression of concern over the “safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians” living and doing business in the country.
The suspension will remain in force until further notice and may be reviewed by the leadership of the National Assembly depending on developments. The lawmakers also urged state Houses of Assembly to consider taking similar action.
The move comes amid Nigeria’s wider response to renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, including the evacuation of Nigerians affected by the violence. Reports indicate that nearly 1,000 Nigerians had been evacuated from South Africa between June and July.
