President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has raised concerns over recent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans in South Africa, calling for urgent action by the African Union (AU).
Tinubu made Nigeria’s position known in a message delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola.
The President urged African leaders to address the recurring attacks, warning that such incidents threaten the unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence that should define relations among African countries.
Tinubu acknowledged South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and recognised the country’s contributions to the continent. However, he maintained that these rights should not be used to justify attacks against other Africans.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu said.
He added that the attacks had consequences beyond those directly affected, stressing that they undermine the broader objective of African unity.
“While recognising South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and acknowledging its contributions to the continent, Nigeria stresses that such attacks undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, and require urgent collective attention,” he stated.
The President consequently called on the AU Assembly to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session, scheduled for January 2027.
“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this august Assembly to place the matter on the agenda of the upcoming 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action,” he said.
Tinubu also called for stronger continental efforts to tackle xenophobia and Afrophobia, stressing the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and collective action in resolving disputes and protecting Africans across the continent.
Nigeria Backs AU Conflict Prevention Plan
The President also addressed the wider security challenges confronting Africa, with Nigeria supporting the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical framework for strengthening conflict prevention across the continent.
Tinubu argued that preventing conflicts was more sustainable and less costly than attempting to manage them after they had escalated.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” he said.
He, however, warned that fragmented peace initiatives and growing external involvement in African conflicts could undermine the AU’s ability to prevent and resolve crises.
According to the President, the increasing involvement of foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors risks weakening African-led mechanisms for conflict prevention and undermining the principle of African ownership of the continent’s security challenges.
Tinubu therefore urged African leaders to strengthen collective approaches to peace and security while ensuring that the continent retains ownership of efforts to resolve its conflicts.
