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 South African authorities until further notice.
The directive was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi.
The decision followed growing concerns over reports of continued xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned about reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, homes, investments and other properties.
According to the statement, the incidents have continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to take stronger measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and prosecute those responsible for xenophobic violence.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Under the directive, all official visits to South Africa by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff have been suspended.
The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative authorities.
The suspension applies to both physical and virtual engagements. No National Assembly delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member may participate in such activities without prior express approval from the leadership.
Existing invitations, arrangements and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa will also be reviewed.
The latest action follows an earlier condemnation by the National Assembly of renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and its support for diplomatic efforts to address violence against Nigerians.
The lawmakers said the suspension would remain in effect until further notice and could be reviewed depending on developments.
The National Assembly, however, stressed that the measure was not intended to sever Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people ties with South Africa.
It said parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation remained important but should be based on mutual respect and a commitment to protecting lives, property and lawful businesses.
