Members of Nigeria’s National Assembly have resolved to suspend official visits to South Africa and boycott legislative seminars, conferences and other activities organised or hosted by the South African parliament. Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Mr Ogunlana, a lawyer, said the decision was prompted by the continuous xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa, which have resulted in the deaths and injuries of several Nigerian citizens. He said the attacks had continued despite interventions by the Nigerian government and resolutions by the National Assembly.
“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 Leadership notes with concern that, despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government of Nigeria 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,” he said.
The Clerk said the Nigerian government and the National Assembly are concerned about the continued attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa. “The Leadership also acknowledges the intervention of the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders, including efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.
“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.