Nigeria Suspends Official Parliamentary Visits to South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

(National Assembly complex. Photo by Punch News)

Nigeria's National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed its members and staff to stop participating in any South African legislative activities.

The decision came from the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives.

They made the move because of ongoing xenophobic att@cks, violence and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

According to the National Assembly, Nigerians in South Africa have been k!lled, inj¥red, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses and homes.

Despite repeated appeals from Nigeria's government to South African authorities to protect foreign nationals and punish those responsible for the violence, the att@cks continue.

The suspension covers all official visits by lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to South Africa.

It also includes any participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings and parliamentary exchanges organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

Both physical and online engagements are included in the ban.

No member of the National Assembly can take part in any of these activities during the suspension without getting express permission from the leadership first.

Existing arrangements and invitations involving visits or legislative activities in South Africa are being reviewed under this new directive.

The suspension remains in effect until the National Assembly decides to change it based on how things develop.

The National Assembly stressed that this action doesn't mean Nigeria is rejecting its broader diplomatic relationship with South Africa.

They said parliamentary cooperation is important, but it has to be built on mutual respect and a commitment to protecting lives and property.