Nigeria Suspends Official Visits to South Africa

Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities organised or hosted by South African authorities until further notice.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Akin Rotimi, spokesman for the House of Representatives. It follows growing concern over reports of continued xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and property destruction involving Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

The statement said the National Assembly was especially troubled by reports that Nigerians had been killed, injured, displaced or forced to leave behind their businesses, investments, homes and other property.

“The Leadership of the National Assembly, led by H.E. Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, President of the Senate, and Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to communicate to all Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, Committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff the decision of the National Assembly to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice,” the statement read.

The National Assembly South Africa boycott followed concerns that such incidents have continued despite calls from the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals.

“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.

Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, said the decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The directive covers official trips involving lawmakers, committees, officials and staff. It also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by South African legislative authorities.

Importantly, the National Assembly South Africa boycott applies to both physical and virtual activities. No official delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member may take part in a covered engagement during the suspension without prior express approval from the leadership of the National Assembly.

The directive sets out five key measures:

• Official visits: All official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff are suspended.
• Legislative activities: Participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, parliamentary exchanges and other engagements organised or supported by South African legislative authorities is suspended.
• Online activities: The suspension covers both physical and virtual engagements, including online meetings and parliamentary programmes hosted by South African institutions.
• Prior approval: No official delegation, committee, lawmaker, official or staff member may participate in a covered engagement without express approval from the National Assembly leadership.
• Existing arrangements: Current invitations, programmes and planned visits involving South Africa will be reviewed under the new directive.

The National Assembly had earlier condemned renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and supported diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing violence against Nigerians.

The latest suspension will remain in place until further notice. However, the leadership may review the decision depending on developments in South Africa.

The lawmakers also stressed that the action should not be interpreted as a rejection of the longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.

“While parliamentary diplomacy and inter-legislative cooperation remain important, they must rest on mutual respect and a shared commitment to protecting life, property and lawful enterprise,” the statement noted.

The decision places renewed attention on the safety of Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa while maintaining the possibility of future parliamentary engagement if conditions improve.

Do you think the suspension will encourage stronger action against xenophobic violence in South Africa?