The National Assembly has halted all official visits to South Africa. It ordered its members and officials to boycott legislative engagements hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.
Concerns over continuous xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, and property destruction targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa prompted the decision.
National Assembly Raises Concern Over Xenophobic Attacks
Akin Rotimi, spokesman for the House of Representatives, revealed the decision in a statement made Friday, September 9. 
The National Assembly expressed worry about reports of Nigerians being killed, attacked, displaced, and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, houses, and other belongings.
“Of particular concern to the National Assembly is the persistence of these incidents. 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,” he stated.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives reached the decision after consultations.
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Travel and Legislative Activities Suspended
The instruction applies to official trips by legislators, committees, authorities, and National Assembly staff members. It also includes conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges, and other legislative events planned, hosted, funded, or co-sponsored by South African legislative bodies.
The National Assembly said the suspension covers both physical and virtual engagements.
No official delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member can participate in such engagements during the suspension without the prior express approval of the leadership of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly also ordered a review of existing arrangements, invitations and proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa.
Decision Does Not End Diplomatic Relations
The latest resolution follows earlier this year’s National Assembly condemnation of increased xenophobic attacks in South Africa and support for diplomatic measures to address violence against Nigerians.
The National Assembly stated that the suspension would remain in effect until further notice and that the decision might be reviewed based on developments.
It emphasised that the decision did not represent a rejection of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people ties with South Africa.
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