The decision was announced on Thursday by the leadership of the National Assembly, following reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, homes and properties in South Africa.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamaldeen Ogunlana, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, directed the immediate suspension of parliamentary engagements with South Africa until further notice.
The National Assembly expressed concern over “the continuing reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals resident in the Republic of South Africa.”
It also criticised the continued attacks despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to South African authorities to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and ensure that perpetrators of xenophobic violence are brought to justice.
The lawmakers acknowledged the intervention of the Federal Government and other stakeholders, including efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of citizens from South Africa.
According to the statement, the suspension covers all official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff.
It also includes participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
The boycott further extends to physical participation in South African-hosted legislative programmes, as well as attendance through virtual or online platforms.
The National Assembly said the decision was intended to serve as a strong reminder of its concern for the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.
However, it clarified that the action was not intended to undermine the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
The development came on the same day another Nigerian, Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, was reportedly shot dead in Johannesburg.
South African authorities also extradited six Nigerians accused of romance scams to the United States of America.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa donated N1 million each to 45 citizens of the state who were recently evacuated from South Africa following the xenophobic attacks.
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