Nigeria’s National Assembly has placed an indefinite suspension on official trips to South Africa and directed lawmakers and its officials to stay away from legislative activities organised or hosted by South African authorities.
The decision was disclosed on Friday by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, amid growing concerns over renewed reports of xenophobic attacks involving Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to inform senators, members of the House, committees, departments and other relevant officials about the new directive.
The move followed reports alleging that Nigerians in South Africa had been killed, injured or displaced, with some reportedly losing businesses, investments, homes and other property as a result of the attacks.
The National Assembly said it was particularly troubled by the continued reports despite several calls by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to improve the protection of Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
The lawmakers also called for stronger action against those responsible for xenophobic violence, stressing the need for perpetrators to be brought to justice.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the decision was reached after consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
As part of the new measures, lawmakers, committees, officials and staff have been barred from undertaking official visits to South Africa until further notice.
The restriction also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other inter-legislative activities organised, sponsored or co-sponsored by the South African Parliament or other legislative bodies in the country.
Both physical and virtual engagements are covered by the directive.
The National Assembly leadership further ordered that no lawmaker, committee, delegation, official or staff member should take part in any affected programme without obtaining prior approval from the leadership.
Existing invitations, planned visits and proposed programmes involving South Africa are also to be reviewed to determine whether they comply with the new position of the National Assembly.
The latest action comes after the National Assembly previously condemned the reported resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa and backed diplomatic initiatives aimed at protecting Nigerians and addressing the violence.
The lawmakers said the suspension was intended to demonstrate the seriousness with which they view the safety and welfare of Nigerians and other African nationals living or doing business in South Africa.
The suspension will remain in place until further notice, although the leadership of the National Assembly may reconsider the decision depending on subsequent developments.
The National Assembly, however, clarified that the measure should not be viewed as a severance of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic ties or people-to-people relations with South Africa.
It maintained that parliamentary cooperation between the two countries remains valuable but must be founded on mutual respect, the protection of lives and property, and the right of people to conduct lawful business without fear of violence.
