The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.
The decision was contained in a statement issued by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, on Friday.
The directive was issued by the leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen.
“The Leadership of the National Assembly, led by H.E. Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, President of the Senate, and Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to communicate to all Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, Committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff the decision of the National Assembly to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice,” the statement read.
The decision followed concerns over reports of continued xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.
The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced or forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other property.
It also cited the persistence of the incidents despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and prosecute perpetrators of xenophobic violence.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The suspension 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 directive covers both physical and virtual engagements.
The National Assembly said no official delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member could participate in such activities during the suspension without the prior express approval of its leadership.
It directed that all existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa be reviewed in line with the new directive.
Suspension follows earlier condemnation
The National Assembly had earlier condemned renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and supported diplomatic efforts to address violence against Nigerians.
It said the latest suspension would remain in force until further notice and could be reviewed depending on developments.
The National Assembly stressed that the decision was not 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 said.
The directive comes amid renewed concerns over the safety and welfare of Nigerians and other African nationals living and doing business in South Africa.