Nigeria’s parliament has suspended official visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers to boycott South African-hosted legislative activities, citing reports of attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision reflects growing concern in Nigeria over the safety of its citizens in South Africa and signals rising frustration over a problem that has periodically strained relations between the continent’s two largest economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigerian officials have cited persistent anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, with Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs having said 98 Nigerians have died in mob and hate-related incidents there since 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year, 1,695 Nigerians have been voluntarily evacuated amid xenophobia-related tensions, according to Nigeria’s acting high commissioner in Pretoria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The directive, announced by a spokesperson to the parliament, bars legislators from official travel to South Africa and from participating in meetings hosted or organised by South African institutions until further notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It does not apply to governmental visits and meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This decision is a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa,” House spokesperson Akin Rotimi said in a statement on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigeria’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A South African government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola led a delegation to Abuja in July, for talks with Nigerian officials aimed at easing tensions over attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lamola said at the time the South African government condemned “all forms of xenophobia”.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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