Xenophobia: National Assembly Suspends South Africa Visits, Orders Boycott of Legislative Activities
Reported By Facthabournews
Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities over continuing reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.
The decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives and was communicated by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana. The directive was also contained in a statement issued by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, on Friday.
The National Assembly said it was deeply concerned by reports of violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals living and conducting businesses in South Africa.
According to the parliamentary leadership, reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced or forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties were particularly disturbing.
The lawmakers said the decision became necessary because reports of such incidents have continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and ensure that perpetrators of xenophobic violence are brought to justice.
Under the new directive, all official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff have been suspended until further notice.
The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by the Parliament of South Africa or other South African legislative authorities.
Importantly, the suspension is not limited to physical activities. The directive also covers virtual and online engagements organised or hosted by South African legislative institutions.
This means that Nigerian senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, officials and staff are not expected to participate in South African-hosted parliamentary programmes, whether such engagements take place physically in South Africa or virtually, unless the leadership of the National Assembly grants prior express approval.
The National Assembly has also directed that existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa be reviewed in line with the new directive.
The action represents a significant parliamentary response to concerns over the treatment and safety of Nigerians in South Africa. However, the National Assembly stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as a rejection of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic, historical and people-to-people relationship with South Africa.
Rather, lawmakers described the suspension as a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in the country.
The National Assembly further called on the South African Government to take urgent and concrete steps to protect Nigerians and other African nationals from xenophobic attacks.
It urged South African authorities to thoroughly investigate reported incidents, identify and arrest suspected perpetrators and ensure that anyone found responsible is prosecuted according to the law.
The lawmakers maintained that parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation remain important, but argued that such relationships must be built on mutual respect and a commitment to protecting human life, property and lawful economic activities.
The National Assembly’s decision comes against the background of renewed concerns over xenophobia and attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa. Nigerian authorities have previously expressed concern over incidents involving Nigerians and have engaged South African authorities on the need to improve protection for Nigerian citizens.
The latest directive therefore places temporary restrictions on parliamentary engagement while allowing Nigeria’s broader diplomatic relationship with South Africa to continue.
The suspension will remain in force until further notice, according to the National Assembly’s communication. Its leadership retains the authority to review the decision depending on developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
The National Assembly’s action also sends a message that the safety of Nigerian citizens abroad remains an issue of national concern. Beyond diplomatic discussions, the lawmakers have now chosen to use parliamentary engagement as a means of expressing dissatisfaction with what they regard as inadequate protection of Nigerians.
The development could also affect planned parliamentary exchanges and other legislative programmes between Nigeria and South Africa, particularly those involving official delegations, committees and lawmakers.
While the boycott remains in effect, the National Assembly has called for urgent action by South African authorities to address the reported attacks and restore confidence among Nigerians and other African nationals living in the country.
The lawmakers emphasised that Nigeria’s position is not aimed at severing relations with South Africa but at drawing attention to the need for stronger protection of Nigerian citizens and their legitimate interests.
The National Assembly is expected to continue monitoring developments and may reconsider the suspension as circumstances change.
For now, however, official parliamentary visits and South African-hosted legislative engagements involving Nigeria’s National Assembly remain suspended until further notice.
