Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by the country until further notice.
The decision followed growing concerns over reports of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with lawmakers citing incidents involving Nigerians and other African nationals who have allegedly been killed, injured, displaced or forced to abandon their businesses and properties.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives said repeated appeals for South African authorities to protect foreign nationals and prosecute perpetrators had failed to stop further reports of attacks.
The suspension covers official trips by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff of the National Assembly. It also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
The boycott applies to both physical and virtual participation in legislative programmes hosted by South African authorities. The Clerk has been directed to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees and relevant departments to ensure compliance.
The National Assembly said the measure would remain in place until further notice and could be reviewed depending on developments. It stressed that the decision was not intended to damage Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relationship with South Africa.
The latest move comes after the Federal Government evacuated Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks. By July 9, about 1,000 Nigerians had reportedly been brought back, with further groups returning in August.
Nigeria has also increased diplomatic pressure on South Africa to address the attacks. President Bola Tinubu has raised the issue at the African Union and called for collective action against xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
The National Assembly urged South African authorities to take urgent measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported attacks, arrest suspects and prosecute those found responsible.
It also called on state Houses of Assembly to take note of the resolution and said they could consider similar measures as Nigeria continues to monitor the safety and welfare of its citizens in South Africa.
