The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and resolved to boycott South African-hosted or organised legislative activities over the continued reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.
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 their businesses, homes and properties amid recurring violent attacks.
In a statement issued and signed by Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq.
Clerk to the National Assembly
on Friday, the National Assembly expressed grave concern over the situation, noting that repeated appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals had not stopped reports of xenophobic violence.
The suspension covers official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff.
It also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities, including participation through virtual or online platforms.
The leadership has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to communicate the resolution to all senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for strict compliance.
The National Assembly stressed that the decision was not aimed at undermining the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa, but was a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and doing legitimate business in South Africa.
It called on the South African government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, thoroughly investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
The leadership also urged the leadership of the various State Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider adopting similar measures.
The National Assembly said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa, adding that the suspension and boycott would remain in force until further notice, subject to review as circumstances warrant.
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