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Nigeriaβs Parliament Suspends Official Visits to South Africa Over Alleged Xenophobic Attacks
Nigeriaβs National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and announced a boycott of South African-hosted legislative activities until further notice, citing ongoing reports of xenophobic violence targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision was announced today, Friday by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, following consultations between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
The suspension applies to lawmakers, National Assembly committees, officials and staff. It also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities, including virtual engagements.
The National Assembly said it was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, with some allegedly forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties amid recurring attacks.
It said the decision followed repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to strengthen the protection of Nigerians and other foreign nationals and ensure that those responsible for attacks are brought to justice.
The move follows heightened tensions over anti-migrant violence in South Africa. Nigeria has reported that at least 98 of its citizens have died in mob, hate-related and extrajudicial attacks in South Africa since 2022.
South African authorities have reported that nearly 90,000 people have either been voluntarily repatriated or deported since the latest migration tensions began, although figures provided by migrantsβ home countries put the number at about 178,000.
The Nigerian National Assembly described the boycott as a strong expression of concern over the safety and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa, while urging South African authorities to investigate attacks, arrest suspects and prosecute those responsible.
The decision does not amount to a suspension of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa and does not cover government-level visits. Nigeria has continued to engage South Africa diplomatically over the issue.
There was no immediate response from the South African government to the Nigerianparliamentary decision.