NASS Suspends Official Trips To South Africa

The Nigerian National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organized by South African authorities.

The decision came amid growing concerns over 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 resolution was contained in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana on behalf of the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The statement said that the National Assembly is particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties because of recurring violent attacks.

It said: “The leadership observed that despite the repeated appeals by the Nigeria 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, reports of such incidents have continued to emerge.

It also acknowledged the interventions of the Government and other stakeholders, including efforts to support affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.

The suspension applies to official visits of the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff to South Africa.

It also applies to engagement in conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other activities arranged or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

The boycott also extends to physical participation in legislative programs hosted in South Africa, and participation through virtual or online platforms.

The leadership of the National Assembly has therefore directed the Clerk to communicate the decision to all the senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for strict compliance.

Read Also: INEC Schedules By-Elections Across Four States

The leadership emphasized that the decision was not meant to undermine the long-standing historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

Instead, it said the move was a strong expression of concern over safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.

The National Assembly urged the South African Government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals within its territory, prevent further xenophobic attacks, thoroughly investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable in accordance with the law.

The leadership also called on the various State Houses of Assembly to take cognizance of the decision and consider adopting similar measures.

It reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to the protection of Nigerian citizens abroad, saying it would continue to monitor developments on the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.

The suspension and boycott will continue until further notice and may be reviewed by the leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant.