Nigeria suspends official visits to South Africa over anti-migrant violence

Nigeria’s parliament has banned official visits to South Africa in protest over continued violence against immigrants there, including attacks on Nigerian citizens.

“All official visits to the Republic of South Africa by the National Assembly, its Committees, lawmakers, officials and staff are hereby suspended,” Akin Rotimi, spokesman for the lower chamber, said in a statement on Friday.

The ban extends even to virtual engagements, after months of anti-foreigner protests across South Africa that have driven tens of thousands of people to leave the country.

“The National Assembly cannot ignore persistent attacks on citizens abroad,” Rotimi said.

Kamoru Ogunlana, the clerk to Nigeria’s national assembly, said in a statement that parliament was “particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring violent attacks”.

South Africa, one of the continent’s most industrialised economies, has long been a magnet for both undocumented and documented immigrants.

However, the nation is also saddled with high unemployment, weak social services and high crime, which is increasingly blamed on migrants despite decades of government failures, analysts say.

Nigeria has become particularly outspoken on the issue, accusing South Africa of not doing enough to stop the violence.