Xenophobia: National Assembly bans South Africa visits, boycotts legislative events

The National Assembly has halted all official visits to South Africa and announced a boycott of legislative programmes organised or hosted by the country until further notice, following renewed reports of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.

The decision was reached after consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, with some allegedly forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties.

In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the leadership expressed serious concern over the situation, noting that repeated appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to safeguard Nigerians and other foreign nationals and prosecute those responsible had failed to stop further incidents.

The National Assembly acknowledged measures already taken by the Federal Government, including efforts to assist Nigerians affected by the violence and facilitate the return of those wishing to leave South Africa.

Under the new resolution, all official trips to South Africa involving the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff have been suspended.

The ban also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

It further covers both physical attendance at such programmes in South Africa and participation through virtual or online platforms.

The Clerk has consequently been directed to communicate the resolution to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure full compliance.

According to the leadership, the suspension will remain in place until further notice and may be reviewed depending on developments.

The National Assembly’s decision is the latest in a series of measures taken by Nigeria in response to renewed hostility against African migrants in South Africa.

Nigeria commenced the evacuation of its citizens from South Africa in June following fresh reports of xenophobic attacks. The first batch of 258 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on June 11, with additional flights subsequently bringing more citizens back home.

By July 9, the number of Nigerians evacuated had reportedly reached about 1,000.

The Federal Government said Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation, underwent screening and were cleared would be safely transported home.

The repatriation exercise continued in the following months. In August, 83 Nigerian returnees arrived in Lagos, followed by another 67 a week later.

Government agencies received the returnees for documentation, profiling and reunification with their families.

Beyond the evacuation exercise, Nigeria has continued to demand stronger action from South African authorities to end attacks against Nigerians.

In July, the Federal Government called on South Africa to take decisive steps against recurring xenophobic attacks. Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa also disclosed that the government had begun documenting businesses and properties abandoned by Nigerians who returned home, with a view to pursuing possible compensation.

President Bola Tinubu later took the matter to the African Union, seeking collective action and urging the continental body to place xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has equally condemned the mistreatment of Nigerians and other African nationals while maintaining that Nigeria remains committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement with South Africa.

The National Assembly, however, stressed that its latest action should not be interpreted as an attempt to damage the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and South Africa.

Rather, it described the suspension as a firm expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.

The lawmakers called on the South African government to urgently take concrete steps to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable under the law.

The National Assembly also urged state Houses of Assembly to take note of the resolution and consider similar measures where necessary.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad and said it would continue monitoring developments surrounding the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.