The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and announced a boycott of South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities until further notice, citing growing concerns over xenophobic attacks and the safety of Nigerians in the country.
The decision followed reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals resident in South Africa.
The leadership of the National Assembly expressed particular concern over reports that Nigerians had been killed, injured and displaced, with some forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring violent attacks.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., the leadership noted that despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice, reports of such incidents had continued to emerge.
The National Assembly also acknowledged interventions by the Federal Government and other stakeholders, including efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.
Following consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the National Assembly resolved to suspend all official visits to South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice.
The resolution covered official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff. It also extends to participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
The boycott further included physical participation in South African-hosted legislative programmes as well as participation through virtual or online platforms.
The leadership has consequently directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution to all senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure strict compliance.
The National Assembly stressed that the decision was not intended to undermine the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
Rather, it described the measure as a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.
The lawmakers called on the Government of South Africa to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals within its territory and prevent further xenophobic attacks.
They also urged the South African authorities to thoroughly investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and ensure that those found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The leadership further urged the leadership of State Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider taking similar action.
The National Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of Nigerian citizens abroad, saying it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
The suspension of official visits and boycott of legislative activities will remain in force until further notice, subject to review by the leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant.
