The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers, committees and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organized by South African authorities until further notice.
The decision was contained in a statement issued by the spokesman for the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi.
According to the statement, the directive was issued by the leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen. The move follows concerns over reports of continued xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.
The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties.
It also expressed concern that the incidents had continued despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to take decisive action to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and prosecute those responsible for xenophobic violence.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The suspension covers official visits by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff of the National Assembly.
It also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organized, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative authorities. Stating the directive applies to both physical and virtual engagements.
Existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa will also be reviewed under the directive.
The latest decision comes after the National Assembly earlier this year condemned renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and backed diplomatic efforts to address violence against Nigerians.
The suspension will remain in place until further notice and may be reviewed depending on developments.
However, the National Assembly stressed that the decision does not amount to a rejection of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and relationship with South Africa.
