The Nigerian National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers, committees and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, following renewed concerns over reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The decision was taken by the leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen.
According to the statement, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, was directed to communicate the decision to all senators, members, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff.
The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned by reports that Nigerians had been killed, injured, displaced or forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties in South Africa.
“Of particular concern to the National Assembly is the persistence of these incidents despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice,” the statement said.
The suspension covers all official visits to South Africa by lawmakers, National Assembly committees, officials and staff.
It also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by the South African Parliament or other legislative authorities in the country.
The directive applies to both physical and virtual engagements, meaning National Assembly officials and lawmakers are barred from participating in online legislative programmes hosted by South African institutions without prior approval from the leadership.
The statement directed that all existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa be reviewed in line with the new directive.
The National Assembly had earlier this year condemned renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and supported diplomatic efforts by the Federal Government to address violence against Nigerians.
The latest suspension, however, does not amount to a severance of relations between the two countries, the National Assembly stressed.
It said the measure would remain in force until further notice and could be reviewed by its leadership depending on developments.
“While parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation remain important, they must rest on mutual respect and a shared commitment to protecting life, property and lawful enterprise,” the statement noted.
The move is expected to place additional pressure on South African authorities to address concerns over the safety and protection of Nigerians and other foreign nationals living and doing business in the country.
