The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African parliamentary institutions.
The decision follows growing concerns over recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The directive contained in a statement by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, was issued by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives and communicated to lawmakers, committees, departments and staff by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.
The National Assembly expressed concern over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses and properties amid the attacks.
It said the suspension would cover physical and virtual meetings, conferences, seminars, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative authorities.
Existing invitations and arrangements involving official visits or parliamentary engagements in South Africa are also to be reviewed.
The leadership said no National Assembly delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member should participate in such activities without the express approval of the leadership.
The move comes amid renewed diplomatic concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa.
Nigeria has already evacuated 1,490 nationals from the country through government-supported flights following security concerns linked to xenophobic attacks.
The federal government has also taken the issue to the African Union, calling for collective measures to address recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, recently said the country would seek an AU-led response, arguing that the recurring attacks required a broader continental solution.
The National Assembly said its decision was not intended to sever Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa.
It maintained that parliamentary cooperation remained important but must be based on mutual respect and the protection of the lives, dignity and legitimate interests of citizens.
The legislature called on the South African government to strengthen the protection of Nigerians and other African nationals, investigate reported attacks, prosecute those responsible and take concrete steps to prevent further violence.
The National Assembly also urged State Houses of Assembly across the country to take note of the decision and consider similar measures.
According to the statement, the suspension will remain in effect until further notice and may be reviewed by the leadership of the National Assembly depending on developments.
