Lawmakers suspend official visits after reports of killings, violence and displacement…reports Africa Daily News Desk
Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African institutions, citing continuing reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision was taken by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, was directed to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates and staff.
The directive follows reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other property amid recurring incidents of violence and intimidation in South Africa.
The National Assembly expressed concern that such incidents have continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to strengthen protections for Nigerians and other foreign nationals and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Under the directive, all official visits to South Africa by Nigerian lawmakers, committees, officials and staff have been suspended until further notice.
The boycott also covers legislative conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other activities organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative authorities.
The suspension applies to both physical and virtual engagements. Existing invitations, arrangements and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative activities in South Africa will also be reviewed.
No National Assembly delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member will be permitted to participate in such engagements without the express approval of the leadership of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly said the decision was a “firm, measured response” to threats to the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living in South Africa.
It stressed that the move does not undermine Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa, saying parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation remain important.
However, it maintained that such relations must be based on mutual respect and the protection of life, property and lawful businesses.
The Nigerian legislature urged the South African government to take “urgent and concrete measures” to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found responsible.
The National Assembly also called on state Houses of Assembly across Nigeria to take note of the decision and consider similar action.
The suspension and boycott will remain in force until further notice and may be reviewed by the National Assembly leadership depending on developments.
The House of Representatives said it would continue monitoring the situation concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to constructive diplomatic engagement with Pretoria.
