The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of South African-hosted legislative activities in protest against persistent reports of xenophobic attacks and violence against Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision was taken by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, was directed to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff.
The directive followed consultations between the leadership of both chambers amid growing concerns over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring attacks in South Africa.
The National Assembly expressed particular concern that the incidents had continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to strengthen protection for Nigerians and other foreign nationals and prosecute perpetrators of xenophobic violence.
Under the new directive, all official visits to South Africa by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff have been suspended until further notice.
The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative activities organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by the South African Parliament or other legislative authorities.
The suspension extends to both physical and virtual engagements, meaning Nigerian lawmakers and National Assembly officials are barred from participating in online legislative activities hosted by South African institutions without express approval from the leadership of the National Assembly.
Existing invitations, arrangements and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa are also to be reviewed.
The National Assembly said the action was a firm but measured response to threats against the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
It stressed that the decision did not amount to a rejection of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic, historical and people-to-people relations with South Africa, but was intended to register strong concern over the treatment of Nigerian nationals.
The lawmakers called on the South African Government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
According to the National Assembly, protecting law-abiding foreign nationals and holding perpetrators of criminal attacks accountable are fundamental obligations under the rule of law and critical to preserving confidence and goodwill between Nigeria and South Africa.
The National Assembly also urged the leadership of State Houses of Assembly across the country to take note of the decision and consider similar measures.
It said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
The lawmakers, however, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to constructive diplomatic and parliamentary relations with South Africa, stressing that such relations must be anchored on mutual respect and the protection of life, property and lawful enterprise.
The suspension and boycott will remain in force until further notice and may be reviewed by the National Assembly leadership as circumstances warrant.
