National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and participation in South African-hosted legislative activities until further notice.
The decision was taken by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives against the backdrop of reported xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
In a statement issued on Friday, the National Assembly said it was deeply concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the decision followed consultations between the leadership of both chambers.
He said the suspension covers official visits by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff of the National Assembly to South Africa.
It also affects participation in 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 directive applies to both physical and virtual engagements, including online meetings and programmes hosted by South African legislative institutions.
It added that existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa would be reviewed in line with the directive.
The National Assembly said the action was necessary in response to persistent threats to the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.
It, however, stressed that the decision does not undermine Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic, historical and people-to-people relations with South Africa, noting that parliamentary cooperation remains important.
The lawmakers urged the South African government to take urgent measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported attacks, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
The National Assembly also called on State Houses of Assembly across the country to take note of the decision and consider similar action.
The suspension and boycott will remain in force until further notice, subject to review by the leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
