NASS Suspends Official Visits to South Africa Over Renewed Xenophobic Attacks

The National Assembly has suspended all official legislative visits to South Africa and directed its members to boycott legislative activities and engagements hosted or organised by the South African government until further notice.

The decision followed renewed xenophobic attacks, intimidation and threats against Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, September 10, and signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on behalf of the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

According to the statement, the suspension covers “all official visits” to South Africa, while lawmakers have also been directed to boycott “South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements.”

The National Assembly said the decision was driven by its “grave concern for the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad.”

It urged the South African government to take immediate and concrete steps to protect Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.

The lawmakers also demanded thorough investigations into reported attacks, the arrest of suspected perpetrators and the prosecution of those found responsible for acts of violence against foreign nationals.

The suspension and boycott will remain in place until further notice and may be reviewed by the leadership of the National Assembly depending on developments in South Africa.

The latest crisis follows renewed anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa, during which protesters called for migrants to leave the country.

The development has raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals.

Amid the unrest, the Nigerian Government has repatriated about 1,490 citizens from South Africa, while reports have emerged of Nigerians suffering attacks, destruction or loss of property and difficulties relating to their residency status.

Nigerians have previously been victims of major xenophobic attacks in South Africa, including outbreaks recorded in 2008, 2015 and 2019.

Several Nigerian-owned businesses were attacked during those incidents, with numerous Nigerians reportedly killed or injured.

Nigerian officials have also stated that at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in xenophobic attacks in South Africa since 2022.

The Federal Government responded to the latest situation by condemning the attacks, commencing the evacuation of affected Nigerians and engaging South African authorities over the safety of its citizens.

During bilateral discussions held in Abuja in July, the Nigerian Government demanded stronger measures to protect Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa.

The South African authorities reportedly pledged to prosecute those responsible for the attacks while maintaining that the violence was not state-sponsored.

The renewed attacks have also drawn strong condemnation from both chambers of Nigeria’s National Assembly.

The Senate called for stronger measures to guarantee the safety of Nigerians in South Africa, including written assurances of protection and justice for victims of xenophobic violence.

Similarly, the House of Representatives called for an investigation into the attacks and the losses allegedly suffered by Nigerians as a result of the unrest.

The National Assembly’s decision to suspend official legislative engagements with South Africa underscores the growing concern within Nigeria’s political leadership over the repeated targeting of its citizens abroad and the need for stronger diplomatic and institutional measures to safeguard Nigerians outside the country.

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