The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and staff to boycott South African-hosted legislative activities until further notice.
The decision was taken by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives following reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, conveyed the directive to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff.
According to a statement issued by House of Representatives spokesman Akin Rotimi, the move followed consultations between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
The National Assembly expressed particular concern over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring attacks.
The Assembly noted that the decision was taken despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to take decisive action to protect foreign nationals and bring the perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice.
“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 suspension covers official visits by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff. It also applies to conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative authorities.
The directive extends to both physical and virtual engagements, including online meetings and programmes.
Existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa will be reviewed in line with the directive.
The National Assembly stressed that the decision does not undermine Nigeria’s longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa.
“This decision is a firm, measured response to threats to Nigerians’ safety, dignity and welfare,” the statement said.
Lawmakers urged the South African government to take urgent measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further attacks, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
They also called on the leadership of State Houses of Assembly across Nigeria to take note of the decision and consider similar action.
The suspension and boycott will remain in force until further notice and will be subject to review by the leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant.
The development comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa.
The National Assembly said it would continue to monitor developments concerning their welfare, adding that Nigeria remains committed to constructive diplomatic and parliamentary engagement with South Africa, provided the safety, dignity and legitimate interests of Nigerian citizens are respected and protected.
