Nigeria's National Assembly Boycotts South Africa Over Attacks

The National Assembly (NASS) of Nigeria has officially suspended all visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities organized by South African authorities in response to ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals. This decision was announced in a statement by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, following consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The suspension includes all official visits, conferences, seminars, workshops, and legislative exchanges until further notice. The NASS expressed serious concern over reports of violence, intimidation, and property destruction affecting Nigerians in South Africa, which have persisted despite appeals to the South African government for protection.

The leadership of the National Assembly emphasized that the boycott is not intended to damage Nigeria's diplomatic relations with South Africa but to highlight the urgent need for the protection of Nigerians. They called for immediate action from the South African government to prevent further xenophobic incidents and to investigate reported attacks.