Nigeria is boycotting the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference currently underway in Cape Town, following a decision by the Nigerian National Assembly to freeze all official visits to South Africa (SA) amidst mounting diplomatic strain.
The diplomatic boycott comes as anti-illegal migration tensions rise across SA, alongside anger over the recent deaths of two Nigerian nationals under troubling circumstances in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
The high-profile gathering has drawn roughly 800 parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth to deliberate on democratic governance, sustainable development, and economic inclusion.
Addressing the boycott, Parliamentary Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo stated that organisers have received no formal communication from Abuja regarding a withdrawal. “We can tell you that we have not received any correspondence from any of those parliaments that any of them will not be participating,” Mothapo said. “So as far as we are concerned, our arrangements are at an advanced stage. We are ready with the conference and we are satisfied with all the confirmations that we have received.”
–ChannelAfrica–
