Nigeria assembly bans official visits to South Africa

Nigeria's National Assembly said Friday it had suspended all official visits and online engagements with South Africa over continuing violence against immigrants there.

Akin Rotimi, spokesman for Nigeria's lower chamber, said visits by the assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff were suspended. He said the legislature could not ignore "persistent attacks on citizens abroad" and cited reports of Nigerians killed, injured, displaced or forced to abandon businesses.

South Africa has seen months of protests against foreigners. One protest last week in Durban involved marchers descending on an encampment of Congolese nationals, sparking violent clashes.

Nigeria has accused South Africa of not doing enough to stop the violence. South Africa has long attracted documented and undocumented immigrants, but high unemployment, weak social services and crime have increased tensions.

More than 200,000 people fled after protesters set a June 30 deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave, according to an AFP tally based on figures from African governments that have repatriated their nationals. South African police say at least four migrants were killed in related violence, while some foreign governments say the toll is higher.