The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities over renewed reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
The decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.
Under the resolution, all official trips to South Africa by senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, officials and staff have been suspended until further notice.
The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.
Both physical and virtual participation in such engagements are affected by the resolution.
The National Assembly said it took the decision in response to reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.
The lawmakers expressed particular concern over reports that Nigerians had been killed, injured and displaced, with some forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties.
According to the National Assembly, the incidents have continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders to South African authorities to take decisive action to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice.
“In view of these developments 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 statement said.
The lawmakers, however, stressed that the decision was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic, historical and people-to-people relations with South Africa.
Rather, they said, the measure was aimed at expressing concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in the country.
The National Assembly called on the South African Government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals within its territory.
It also demanded thorough investigations into reported attacks, the arrest of suspected perpetrators and the prosecution of those found culpable in accordance with the law.
The Clerk to the National Assembly has consequently been directed to communicate the resolution to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for strict compliance.
The leadership also urged state Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider adopting similar measures.
The National Assembly said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa, adding that the suspension and boycott would remain in force until further notice and would be reviewed as circumstances warrant.
Meanwhile, Cameroon has called for stronger economic cooperation with Nigeria, identifying agriculture, energy and transport as key areas with potential to deepen trade and investment between both countries.
The Director of Investment Promotion at the Investment Promotion Agency of Cameroon, Emmanuel Tamungang, made the call on the sidelines of the Invest in Lagos and Expo Forum in Lagos.
Tamungang described Nigeria as a major trading partner and an important gateway to West Africa, while noting that Cameroon could provide Nigerian businesses with access to the Central African market.
He said the two countries should strengthen cooperation in areas including transport infrastructure, customs, financial systems, agriculture, energy and maritime connectivity.
The Cameroonian official also disclosed that Nigeria would be invited as the guest country of honour at the fifth Cameroon Investment Forum, scheduled for November 18 to 20.
He said the forum would provide an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s trade and investment opportunities while creating a platform for both countries to deepen economic cooperation.
Tamungang further advocated the revival of the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission and stronger private-sector partnerships, including chambers of commerce, to facilitate cross-border trade.
He identified agriculture, energy and transport as priority investment sectors capable of strengthening both economies and positioning Nigeria and Cameroon to benefit more from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
