The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.
The directive was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, following concerns over continued reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The statement said the decision was taken by the leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and communicated to the Clerk of the National Assembly for implementation.
The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, while others had allegedly been forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and properties.
“Of particular concern to the National Assembly is the persistence of these incidents despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice,” the statement said.
Boycott Covers Physical And Virtual Engagements
The suspension covers official visits by lawmakers, National Assembly committees, officials and staff.
It also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative authorities.
The directive applies to both physical and virtual engagements. No National Assembly delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member may participate in the affected activities without the prior express approval of the leadership.
Existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa are also to be reviewed under the new directive.
Suspension Follows Xenophobia Concerns
The National Assembly said the latest decision followed its earlier condemnation of renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and its support for diplomatic efforts to address violence against Nigerians.
The suspension will remain in force until further notice and may be reviewed by the National Assembly leadership depending on developments.
However, the legislature stressed that the move should not be interpreted as a rejection of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relationship with South Africa.
“While parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation remain important, they must rest on mutual respect and a shared commitment to protecting life, property and lawful enterprise,” the statement said.
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