The National Assembly has suspended all official legislative visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers to boycott South African-hosted or organised legislative activities over renewed xenophobic attacks and growing threats against Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.
The decision followed the latest wave of violence, intimidation and attacks on foreign nationals, coming after anti-immigrant protests in South Africa demanded that migrants leave the country.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on Thursday, September 10, the joint leadership of the Senate and House said the suspension covered “all official visits” to South Africa and the boycott of “South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements” until further notice.
The National Assembly said the action reflected its “grave concern for the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad.”
It called on the South African government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported attacks, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
The suspension and boycott, according to the statement, will remain in force until further notice, subject to review by the leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant.
About 1,490 citizens have been repatriated by the government amid the unrest, while reports indicated that some Nigerians faced attacks, property losses and difficulties with their residency status.
Nigerians were among those affected by major outbreaks in 2008, 2015 and 2019, with attacks on Nigerian-owned businesses and repeated deaths and injuries. Nigerian officials said at least 98 Nigerians had been killed in xenophobic attacks since 2022.
The Federal Government had responded to the latest crisis by condemning the attacks, initiating the evacuation of Nigerians and summoning South African officials for discussions. During bilateral talks in Abuja in July, the government demanded stronger protection for its citizens, while South Africa pledged to prosecute perpetrators and maintained that the violence was not state-sponsored.
In both chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate condemned the renewed attacks and called for stronger measures to protect Nigerians, including written safety guarantees and justice for victims, while the House of Representatives called for an investigation into the attacks and losses suffered by Nigerians in South Africa.
