The National Assembly has halted all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and its officials to suspend participation in legislative programmes organised by South African authorities over renewed concerns about xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
The directive, announced on Friday, was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi.
It followed reports of continued violence, intimidation and destruction of property allegedly targeting Nigerians and other African nationals resident in South Africa.
The leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, directed the Clerk to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House, committees, departments, directorates and other officials and staff.
According to the statement, the legislature was particularly concerned by reports that Nigerians had been killed, injured or displaced, with some allegedly forced to abandon their businesses, homes, investments and other property.
The National Assembly said the reported incidents were continuing despite appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take stronger measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
“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.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the decision was reached after consultations between the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The suspension covers official trips to South Africa by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff.
It also extends to legislative conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by the South African Parliament or other legislative authorities in the country.
The National Assembly said the restriction applies to both physical and virtual engagements.
It directed that no official delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member should participate in any such programme without prior express approval from the leadership.
The statement further ordered a review of all existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa.
The latest action comes months after the National Assembly condemned renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and backed diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government to address the situation.
The lawmakers said the suspension would remain in place until further notice, although the leadership could review the decision depending on developments.
They also stressed that the measure did not represent a breakdown of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relations 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 National Assembly said.
The directive effectively places a temporary freeze on parliamentary exchanges between the two countries while putting pressure on South African authorities to address concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
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