By Saminu Ibrahim
The Leadership of the National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and officials to boycott South African-hosted legislative activities over continued reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, homes, investments and other properties in South Africa.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the leadership expressed “grave concern” over the reported attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals.
The National Assembly noted that despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals, incidents of xenophobic violence have continued to be reported.
It also acknowledged ongoing interventions by the Federal Government and other stakeholders to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.
Consequently, the National Assembly resolved to suspend all official visits to South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice.
The boycott covers official visits by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff, as well as participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
It also extends to physical and virtual participation in South African-hosted legislative programmes.
The leadership has directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution to all senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for strict compliance.
However, the National Assembly stressed that the decision was not intended to undermine the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
Rather, it said the measure was a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.
The National Assembly called on the South African government to urgently take concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, thoroughly investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
It also urged the leadership of the various State Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider adopting similar measures.
The National Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad, saying it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
“The suspension and boycott will remain in force until further notice and may be reviewed by the National Assembly leadership as circumstances warrant” the statement added.
