The National Assembly has suspended official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities over recurring attacks on Nigerians.
The directive was issued by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives against the backdrop of reports of xenophobic attacks, killings, injuries, intimidation and destruction of property involving Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The decision was conveyed to lawmakers, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, following consultations between the leadership of both chambers.
The National Assembly expressed concern over reports that some Nigerians had been killed, injured, displaced or forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties during recurring violent attacks.
Of particular concern, the lawmakers said, was the continuation of such incidents despite appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators to justice.
According to the Clerk, “the National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice.”
The suspension covers official visits by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff.
It also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by the Parliament of South Africa or other South African legislative authorities.
The directive applies to both physical and virtual engagements, including online meetings and programmes hosted from or by South African legislative bodies.
No official delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member is permitted to participate in affected engagements during the suspension without prior express approval from the leadership of the National Assembly.
Existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa are also to be reviewed.
The National Assembly said its action was prompted by its constitutional responsibility to represent and protect the interests of Nigerians, including citizens living abroad.
It acknowledged steps taken by the Federal Government and other stakeholders to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.
The lawmakers maintained that the decision should not be interpreted as a rejection of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people ties with South Africa.
Rather, the National Assembly 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.”
It urged the South African Government to take urgent measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported attacks, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
The National Assembly also called on the leadership of State Houses of Assembly across the country to take note of the decision and consider similar measures.
The House of Representatives said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
The suspension and boycott will remain in force until further notice and may be reviewed by the leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant.