By Opeyemi Adelakun
The National Assembly has ordered a freeze on its official legislative engagements with South Africa following renewed concerns over alleged xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.
Under the directive, lawmakers, committees, officials and staff of the Nigerian legislature are to suspend official trips to South Africa and withdraw from legislative programmes organised or hosted by South African parliamentary authorities.
The decision was communicated by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, following consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesman for the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi.
According to the statement, the National Assembly was particularly disturbed by reports of Nigerians being killed or injured, displaced from their communities and forced to abandon businesses, homes, investments and other property.
The leadership said its decision was also influenced by concerns that previous appeals for stronger protection of Nigerians had not adequately halted the reported incidents.
“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,” the statement said.
The suspension affects more than physical visits.
It extends to parliamentary conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised, hosted, sponsored or jointly sponsored by South African legislative institutions.
Virtual and online engagements are also covered by the directive.
The National Assembly leadership further warned that no senator, member of the House of Representatives, committee, official or staff member would be permitted to participate in any affected engagement without its prior approval.
The statement said all existing invitations, arrangements and proposed programmes involving official Nigerian parliamentary visits or engagements in South Africa must now be reviewed in line with the new directive.
The measure comes months after the National Assembly condemned renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa and supported diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing violence against Nigerians.
However, the legislature stressed that its latest action should not be interpreted as a rejection of Nigeria’s broader relationship with 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 said.
The National Assembly said the suspension would remain in effect until further notice, while its leadership could review the decision depending on developments in South Africa.
The directive was issued under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
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