NASS suspends visits to South Africa over xenophobic attacks

…Urges state assemblies to follow suit

The leadership of the National Assembly on Friday expressed concerns over the unending xenophobic attacks against African nationals resident in South Africa by South African youths.

Consequently, it resolved to boycott any legislative activities fixed for South Africa, just as it urged Houses of Assembly to do so and directed its standing committees not to have anything to do with South Africa “for now.”

The resolutions came through a personally signed statement by the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana.

The CNA, in the statement titled, “National Assembly Suspends Official Visits to South Africa, Boycotts South African Hosted Legislative Activities,” said the decisions were meant to serve as strong expressions of concern over the safety, dignity, and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.

The statement read in part, “In view of the unending xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African Nationals in South Africa and following consultations between the Leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice.

“The resolution covers official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its Committees, lawmakers (officials and staff); participation in conferences, seminars; workshops; parliamentary meetings; legislative exchanges, and other activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities; physical participation in South Africa-hosted legislative programmes, and participation in such programmes through virtual or online platforms.”

It read further, “The Leadership calls on the Government of the Republic of South Africa to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals within its territory; prevent further xenophobic attacks; investigate reported incidents thoroughly; arrest suspected perpetrators, and ensure that those found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Leadership of the National Assembly enjoins the Leadership of the Houses of Assembly to take note of this decision and may consider taking a similar decision.

“The suspension and boycott shall remain in force until further notice, subject to review by the Leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances warrant.”