morganable Africa/conflict& stability
The suspension covers a wide range of engagements, including conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary exchanges, and other legislative meetings organised or sponsored by South African legislative institutions.
KaNo—
The National Assembly has announced the suspension of all official visits to South Africa, directing lawmakers, committees, and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.
The decision, disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, follows growing concerns over persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals residing in South Africa.
According to the statement, the directive was jointly issued by the leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.
“The Leadership of the National Assembly… has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to communicate to all Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, Committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff the decision… to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice,” the statement read.
National Assembly Says Decision Followed Consultations
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, confirmed that the decision followed consultations between the leadership of both chambers of the legislature.
The suspension covers a wide range of engagements, including conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary exchanges, and other legislative meetings organised or sponsored by South African legislative institutions.
It also applies to both physical and virtual participation, effectively halting all forms of official interaction between Nigeria’s National Assembly and its South African counterparts.
The statement outlined specific provisions of the directive, emphasising strict compliance.
It stated that all official visits by lawmakers, committees, and staff to South Africa are suspended, while participation in any legislative activity hosted or co-hosted by South African authorities is prohibited.
It further clarified that no member, committee, or official of the National Assembly is permitted to engage in such activities during the suspension without express approval from the leadership.
“All existing arrangements, invitations or proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa shall be reviewed in accordance with this directive,” the statement added.
The National Assembly said the decision was prompted by continued reports of xenophobic violence in South Africa, including killings, injuries, displacement, and destruction of property belonging to Nigerians and other African nationals.
Lawmakers Express Concerns Over Xenophobic Attacks
“Of particular concern… is the persistence of these incidents despite repeated appeals… to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice,” the statement noted.
The legislature stressed that while it recognises the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation between nations, such engagements must be grounded in mutual respect and a commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
It, however, clarified that the suspension does not signify a breakdown in diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, but rather a measured response aimed at drawing attention to the plight of Nigerians affected by the violence.
“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.
Ondo State Received South Africa Returnees
In a related development, the Ondo State Government has received a group of indigenes who returned from South Africa following xenophobic attacks and growing insecurity.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who welcomed the returnees in Akure, pledged financial assistance and comprehensive support to help them reintegrate into society.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the governor said each returnee would receive financial aid, while the state would also provide skills training, counselling, and entrepreneurship support to help them rebuild their lives.
He emphasised that the return of the affected individuals should mark the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of their struggles.
“The returnees should see their experience abroad as an opportunity to start afresh and contribute to the development of their communities,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor explained that the state government would profile the returnees to determine their individual needs and identify suitable areas for empowerment and support.
He added that beyond immediate financial assistance, the reintegration programme would focus on long-term solutions, including skills acquisition and business development.
Aiyedatiwa encouraged the returnees to leverage the knowledge and exposure gained abroad to create economic opportunities within their communities.
Representing the returnees, Ajibade James recounted their experiences in South Africa, describing incidents of violence, loss of businesses, and destruction of property that forced many to abandon their livelihoods and return to Nigeria.
He expressed appreciation to both the federal and Ondo State governments for facilitating their evacuation and providing support upon their return.
According to him, many of the returnees lost significant investments and now require sustained assistance to regain stability.
“The experience has left many of us needing more than just transportation back home. We lost businesses and assets that sustained our livelihoods,” he said.
The return of the Ondo indigenes is part of a broader repatriation effort initiated by the Federal Government in response to escalating xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The evacuation exercise, which began in June, followed a series of anti-immigrant protests and violent incidents targeting foreign nationals in several parts of the country.
Observers say the National Assembly’s latest action signals growing frustration within Nigeria over the repeated attacks on its citizens abroad and could increase pressure on South African authorities to take more concrete steps.
Diplomatic analysts note that while legislative boycotts are largely symbolic, they serve as a strong political statement and may influence broader diplomatic engagements between the two countries.
