The lingering bilateral crisis between Nigeria and South Africa has taken a new dimension as the leadership of Nigeria’s National Assembly resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities until further notice.
The decision followed growing concerns over recurring reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals resident in South Africa.
Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, who disclosed the development in a statement made available to Parliamentary Correspondents in Abuja, said the resolution followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Barrister Ogunlana said the National Assembly leadership was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring violent attacks.
He quoted the leadership as saying, “The Leadership of the National Assembly has expressed grave concern over the continuing reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals resident in the Republic of South Africa.”
The leadership said it was particularly worried about reports of Nigerians losing their lives, sustaining injuries and suffering economic losses as a result of attacks allegedly linked to xenophobic sentiments.
He further noted that many Nigerians had established legitimate businesses and investments in South Africa over the years, stressing that the safety and protection of citizens abroad remained a matter of serious national concern.
The Parliament also expressed concern that despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take decisive measures, reports of xenophobic incidents had not stopped.
“The Leadership notes with concern that, 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, reports of such incidents have continued to emerge.”
Barrister Ogunlana said the National Assembly leadership also acknowledged the interventions of the Federal Government and other stakeholders, including efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.
He said the decision to suspend official engagements with South African legislative authorities was reached after the leadership carefully considered the developments and their implications for the welfare of Nigerians resident in the country.
According to him, the resolution covers official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff, as well as participation in conferences, seminars, workshops and parliamentary meetings organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
He added that the boycott would also cover legislative exchanges and other activities hosted or organised by South African authorities, including physical participation in South African-hosted legislative programmes and participation through virtual or online platforms.
“In view of these developments and following consultations between the Leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice,” he said.
In the bid to convey its resolution, the leadership consequently directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to issue the necessary communication to all senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure strict compliance with the resolution.
The National Assembly, however, stressed that the decision was not intended to undermine the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa, describing it as a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.
To this end, the National Assembly leadership called on the Government of the Republic of South Africa to take “urgent and concrete measures” to protect Nigerians and other African nationals within its territory, prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate reported incidents thoroughly, arrest suspected perpetrators and ensure that those found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The National Assembly leadership also enjoined the leadership of the 36 State Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider taking similar measures in solidarity with Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks.
The leadership reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to the protection of Nigerian citizens abroad, saying it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
He stressed that the suspension and boycott would remain in force until further notice, subject to review by the leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant.