The national assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by the country until further notice.
In a statement signed by Kamoru Ogunlana, clerk to the
national assembly, the leadership of the nation’s legislature attributed the
decision to the persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in the former
apartheid country.
In recent months, there have been attacks and destruction of
property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
In July, Sola Enikanolaiye, Nigeria’s minister of state
foreign affairs, said official records indicate that 98 Nigerians have been
killed in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022.
Ogunlana said the national assembly leadership was “gravely
concerned” about the continuing reports of attacks against Nigerians and other
Africans in South Africa.
“The Leadership is particularly concerned by reports of
Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their
businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring
violent attacks,” the statement reads.
“In view of these developments and following consultations
between the Leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the
National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic
of South Africa and to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised
legislative activities and engagements until further notice.”
The resolution covers official visits by the national
assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff, and extends to
virtual activities.
Ogunlana is expected to communicate the resolution to
senators, members of the house of representatives, committees, departments,
directorates, officials and staff for compliance.
‘DECISION NOT TO UNDERMINE NIGERIA-SOUTH AFRICA RELATIONS’
Ogunlana said the decision was not intended to damage or
undermine the “longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people
relations” between Nigeria and South Africa.
“Rather, it is a strong expression of concern over the
safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate
businesses in South Africa,” Ogunlana said.
The national assembly called on the South African government
to take “urgent and concrete measures” to protect Nigerians and other African
nationals in the country from further xenophobic attacks and “investigate
reported incidents thoroughly, arrest suspected perpetrators and ensure that
those found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law”.
“The suspension and boycott shall remain in force until
further notice, subject to review by the Leadership of the National Assembly as
circumstances warrant,” Ogunlana added.
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