The National Assembly suspended all official visits to South Africa on Friday. It also ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by the country until further notice. The move followed recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals.
Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, signed the statement that announced the decision. He said the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives reached the resolution after consultations. Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, and Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, led the leadership.
The leadership expressed grave concern over reports of violence, intimidation and destruction of property. Ogunlana stated that the leadership was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring violent attacks.
He noted that the attacks had continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders. South African authorities had been urged to take decisive measures to protect foreign nationals and bring perpetrators to justice. The statement also acknowledged federal government efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate their evacuation.
Under the resolution, official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff were suspended.
The boycott extended to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities. Participation in both physical and virtual activities was prohibited.
Ogunlana said the Clerk would communicate the decision to all senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for compliance. Existing invitations and proposed programmes would be reviewed. The suspension would remain in force until further notice and would be subject to review as circumstances warranted.
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 called on the government of South Africa to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported incidents thoroughly, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
