The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and resolved to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by the Southern African country until further notice, in response to continuing reports of xenophobic attacks and hostility against Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon businesses, investments, homes and other properties amid recurring violence.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the leadership said it was seriously concerned about the situation and noted that repeated appeals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders for South African authorities to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators to justice had not stopped reports of further incidents.
The National Assembly also acknowledged the Federal Government’s intervention, including efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the return of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.
Under the resolution, official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff are suspended.
The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
Physical participation in South African-hosted legislative programmes, as well as participation through virtual or online platforms, is also covered.
The leadership has directed the Clerk to issue the necessary communication to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure strict compliance.
The suspension, it said, would remain in force until further notice and would be subject to review by the leadership as circumstances warrant.
