Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and announced a boycott of legislative engagements hosted or organised by the country, following renewed concerns over attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision was reached after consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to a statement issued by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.
The lawmakers expressed concern over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced in South Africa, with some allegedly forced to abandon their businesses, homes, investments and other properties because of recurring xenophobic violence.
The National Assembly said the action followed repeated incidents despite previous appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to strengthen the protection of Nigerians and other foreign nationals and ensure that those responsible for attacks are prosecuted.
Under the new directive, Nigerian lawmakers, committees, officials and staff will no longer undertake official visits to South Africa until further notice.
The restriction also covers parliamentary conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
The boycott extends to both physical and virtual participation in such engagements.
The National Assembly leadership directed its clerk to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments and other relevant officials for immediate compliance.
The development comes amid renewed tensions over xenophobic attacks in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African migrants have faced violence and intimidation.
Two Nigerians were reportedly killed during anti-migrant violence in June. Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry has also previously raised concerns about the deaths of Nigerian citizens in attacks in South Africa.
Despite the latest parliamentary action, the decision is being presented as a response to concerns over the safety and welfare of Nigerians rather than a complete breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The National Assembly is calling on South African authorities to take stronger steps to protect Nigerians, investigate reported attacks and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
