The National Assembly has suspended all official legislative engagements with South Africa over renewed reports of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.
The decision, announced on Friday, September 11, followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives amid reports of Nigerians being k!lled, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their homes, businesses and investments in South Africa.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the Federal legislature said it was deeply concerned about the recurrence of xenophobic att@cks and what it described as the continued failure of South African authorities to effectively halt the violence despite repeated diplomatic interventions.
The statement says suspension covers official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff. It also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchange programmes and other activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
The National Assembly said the suspension applies to both physical and virtual participation in such engagements and would remain in force until further notice, subject to review by its leadership as circumstances warrant.
The statement added that the Clerk had been directed to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure strict compliance.
The lawmakers said the decision followed persistent reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals residing in South Africa, noting that previous appeals by the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders for the protection of foreign nationals had not prevented further incidents.