Xenophobia: NASS Directs Boycott Of Legislative Activities Organised By South Africa

The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by the country until further notice.

This is as a result of recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.

The decision followed concerns by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties in South Africa.

In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the leadership said the attacks had continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals.

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It also acknowledged the interventions of the Federal Government and other stakeholders to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.

Under the resolution, official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff have been suspended.

The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

The National Assembly further directed that its members and officials should not participate physically or virtually in legislative programmes hosted by South Africa.

The leadership directed the Clerk to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for strict compliance.

It stressed that the decision was not intended to undermine the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

Rather, it said the move was an expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in the country.

The National Assembly called on the South African government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.

It also urged the leadership of state Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider adopting similar measures.

The National Assembly leadership said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.

It added that the suspension and boycott would remain in force until further notice and could be reviewed as circumstances warranted. (Daily trust)