Nigerian National Assembly Declares South Africa No-Go Area, Protests Over Xenophobic Attacks

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

The Leadership of the National Assembly has announced formal suspension of all official visits to the Republic of South Africa, including the boycotting of South African-hosted or South African-organised  legislative activities and engagements until further notice.

The directive to the Clerk to the National Assembly to communicate the decision to all the Senators, members, Committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff of the National Assembly, came today, September 11, against the backdrop of the continuing xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals resident in that country.

In the communication conveying the decision of the Leadership, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, expressed the grave concern of the National Assembly over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and compelled to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring violent attacks.

He said that a particular concern to the National Assembly is the persistence of these incidents despite repeated appeals by the Federal  Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice.

“The National Assembly equally acknowledges the interventions of the Federal Government and other stakeholders, including efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa. These interventions underscore the seriousness of the situation and the responsibility of institutions of the Nigerian state to safeguard the lives, dignity and legitimate interests of Nigerian citizens.”

According to the Clerk, following consultations between the Leadership of both Chambers, “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 directive provides as follows:

a. All official visits to the Republic of South Africa by the National Assembly, its Committees, lawmakers, officials and staff are hereby suspended;

b. All participation by the National Assembly, its Committees, lawmakers, officials and staff in legislative activities, conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, exchanges or other engagements organised, hosted, sponsored or co-sponsored by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa or other South African legislative authorities is hereby suspended;

c. The suspension shall apply to both physical and virtual/online engagements, including invitations to participate in meetings, programmes, parliamentary exchanges and other legislative activities hosted from or by South African legislative institutions;
d. No official delegation, Committee, lawmaker, official or staff member of the National Assembly shall undertake or participate in any such engagement during the period of the suspension without the prior express approval of the Leadership of the Nationale. Assembly; and All existing arrangements, invitations or proposed programmes involving official visits or legislative engagements in South Africa shall be reviewed in accordance with this directive.

“As the institution constitutionally representing Nigerians, the National Assembly cannot ignore persistent attacks on citizens abroad. “Reports of Nigerians killed, injured, displaced or forced to abandon businesses, investments, homes and property require a parliamentary response.

“This decision is a firm, measured response to threats to Nigerians’ safety, dignity and welfare. 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 National Assembly clarified that this decision does not undermine Nigeria’s longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations with South Africa.

“Rather, it is a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.”

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

“Protecting law-abiding foreign nationals and prosecuting those responsible for criminal attacks are fundamental obligations under the rule of law and essential to sustaining confidence and goodwill between both countries and their peoples.”
The National Assembly also urged the Leadership of the State Houses of Assembly across the Federation to take note of this decision and consider similar action.

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