By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
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, citing persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in the former apartheid nation.
The resolution was disclosed in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, following consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
According to the statement, the decision came amid months of attacks and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosing in July that official records indicate 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in the country 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 read.
“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 statement added.
The resolution covers official visits by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff, and extends to virtual activities. Ogunlana disclosed that he would communicate the resolution to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for compliance.
The Clerk clarified that 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,” he 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 to “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 said.
