The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed its members and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.
The decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on Friday.
It followed concerns over reports of continued xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.
According to the statement, the National Assembly was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other 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.
The directive covers official visits by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff of the National Assembly.
It also applies to conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative authorities.
The National Assembly said the suspension would cover both physical and virtual engagements.
However, the statement said no official delegation or member could participate in such engagements during the suspension without the prior express approval of the leadership of the National Assembly.
The latest decision comes after the National Assembly earlier this year condemned renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and backed diplomatic efforts to address the violence against Nigerians.
The National Assembly said the suspension would remain in force until further notice and could be reviewed by its leadership depending on developments.
It stressed that the action did not amount to 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 noted.
