The National Assembly (NASS) has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities over continuing reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the NASS took the decision following consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Under the resolution, all official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff have been suspended until further notice.

The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

The National Assembly said the ban extends to both physical and virtual participation in South African-hosted legislative activities.

The development followed what the lawmakers described as “grave concern” over continuing reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility against Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

The National Assembly leadership said it was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, with some forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties.

It said the incidents had continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice.

“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 read.

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The leadership acknowledged the intervention of the Federal Government and other stakeholders, including efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.

The National Assembly, however, stressed that its decision was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s long-standing historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa. Rather, it said the measure was aimed at expressing its concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in the country.

The lawmakers called on the South African Government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals within its territory and prevent further xenophobic attacks.

They also demanded thorough investigations into reported incidents, the arrest of suspected perpetrators and the prosecution of those found culpable in accordance with the law.

The Clerk to the National Assembly has consequently been directed to communicate the resolution to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure strict compliance.

The leadership also called on the leadership of state Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider adopting similar measures.

The National Assembly said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.

The lawmakers added that the suspension and boycott would remain in force until further notice, subject to review by the leadership as circumstances warranted.

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