ABUJA — Nigeria’s parliament has suspended official visits to South Africa and ordered legislators to boycott South African-hosted legislative activities until further notice, citing attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants, Reuters reported.
House spokesperson Akin Rotimi said Friday the step was “a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.” The directive does not apply to governmental visits and meetings.
Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs has said 98 Nigerians have died in mob and hate-related incidents in South Africa since 2022. This year, 1,695 Nigerians have been voluntarily evacuated amid xenophobia-related tensions, according to Nigeria’s acting high commissioner in Pretoria.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola led a July delegation to Abuja aimed at easing tensions and said Pretoria condemned “all forms of xenophobia.” Neither Nigeria’s foreign ministry nor a South African government spokesperson immediately commented to Reuters on the parliamentary boycott.
Sources: Reuters (via TimesLIVE)
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