By Gloria Ikibah
The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organisednat by South African legislative authorities until further notice.
The decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives amid continuing reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa. 
The directive was issued by the leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.
In a communication conveying the decision, Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the legislature was concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties following recurring violent attacks.
According to Ogunlana, following consultations between the leadership of both chambers, “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.”
The suspension covers official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff.
It also applies to participation in legislative conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, exchanges and other engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by the Parliament of South Africa or other South African legislative authorities.
The directive extends to both physical and virtual engagements, including online meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other programmes hosted by South African legislative institutions.
No official delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member is permitted to participate in such engagements during the suspension without the prior express approval of the National Assembly leadership.
Existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa are also to be reviewed in line with the directive.
The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned that reports of attacks had continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders for the South African authorities to take decisive action to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators to justice.
It acknowledged efforts by the Federal Government and other stakeholders to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa, describing such interventions as an indication of the seriousness of the situation.
The legislature said that, as the institution constitutionally representing Nigerians, it could not ignore persistent attacks against Nigerian citizens abroad.
It said reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced or forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and property warranted a parliamentary response.
The National Assembly described the decision as a firm but measured response to threats to the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians.
It stressed that while parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation remained important, such relations must be founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to protecting life, property and lawful enterprise.
The decision, according to the statement, does not undermine Nigeria’s longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa. Rather, it is “a strong expression of concern over the 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, prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.
It said the protection of law-abiding foreign nationals and prosecution of those responsible for criminal attacks were fundamental obligations under the rule of law and necessary to sustain confidence and goodwill between Nigeria and South Africa.
The National Assembly also urged the leadership of State Houses of Assembly across the country to take note of the decision and consider similar action.
The House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to its longstanding relationship with South Africa and constructive diplomatic and parliamentary engagement, the legislature maintained that the safety, dignity, welfare and legitimate interests of Nigerian citizens must be respected and protected.
The suspension and boycott will remain in force until further notice, subject to review by the leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant.
