NASS halts South Africa trips, bans legislative events amid xenophobia
The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and barred its members, committees and staff from participating in any legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities, including conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings and virtual engagements, until further notice. The resolution, signed by Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana, follows repeated reports of xenophobic attacks in which Nigerians have been killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon businesses, investments and homes. The Assembly said appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to protect foreigners and bring perpetrators to justice have failed to stop the violence. It acknowledged the Federal Government's evacuation efforts, noting that 258 Nigerians returned on June 11, the total reached about 1,000 by July 9, with further returns of 83 in August and another 67 a week later. Nigeria has pressed South Africa to act, urging the African Union to place xenophobic attacks on its January 2027 agenda, while the Assembly urged South Africa to take urgent measures to protect nationals, investigate incidents and prosecute perpetrators. The suspension is not meant to harm Nigeria-South Africa relations but to express concern for Nigerians' safety and dignity. State Houses of Assembly have been urged to consider similar action.