The National Assembly cuts ties with South Africa due to xenophobic attacks

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

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

Based on the resolution, all official visits of the National Assembly, committees, parliamentarians, officials and staff to South Africa have been suspended until further notice.

The boycott also includes conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programs organized or organized by the South African legislative authorities.

The National Assembly said the ban covers physical and virtual participation in legislative activities held in South Africa.

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

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

It said such incidents continued despite repeated pleas from the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take decisive action to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice.

“In light of these developments and following consultations between the Leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the National Assembly has decided to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and to boycott legislative activities and engagements hosted in South Africa or organized in South Africa 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 the decision was not intended to weaken the long-standing historical, diplomatic and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and South Africa. Rather, it said the move was aimed at expressing its concern for the safety, dignity and well-being of Nigerians living and conducting lawful business in the country.

The lawmakers called on the South African Government to take urgent and concrete action to protect Nigerians and citizens of other African countries on its soil and prevent further xenophobic attacks.

They also demanded a thorough investigation into the reported incidents, the arrest of the alleged perpetrators, and the prosecution of those found guilty in accordance with the law.

Therefore, the Clerk of the National Assembly has 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 asked the leadership of the House of Representatives to take note of the decision and consider taking similar action.

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

The lawmakers added that the suspension and boycott will remain in effect until further notice, subject to review by leadership if circumstances warrant.