National Assembly cuts ties with South Africa over xenophobic attacks

The National Assembly (NASS) has suspended all official visits to South Africa and initiated a boycott of legislative events hosted or organized by South African authorities due to persistent reports of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals. This decision, announced by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, came after discussions between the Senate and House of Representatives leadership.

The resolution suspends all National Assembly and affiliated entities' official visits, legislative engagements, conferences, seminars, workshops, and other activities organized or hosted by South African legislative bodies. This applies to both physical and virtual participation. The lawmakers expressed grave concern over the ongoing xenophobic violence, including killings, injuries, displacement, and property destruction faced by Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

Despite appeals from the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders for the South African authorities to protect Nigerians and prosecute perpetrators, the attacks have continued. The NASS emphasized that this measure is not meant to harm Nigeria's historical, diplomatic, and people-to-people ties with South Africa but to highlight the need for urgent and concrete action to safeguard the safety and welfare of Nigerians in the country.

The leadership urged the South African Government to take immediate steps to prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate incidents, arrest perpetrators, and prosecute them as per the law. All National Assembly officials have been instructed to notify relevant parties of this resolution, ensuring strict compliance.