President Bola Tinubu has formally raised concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa, calling for urgent continental action to address the situation.
Tinubu made the call through Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Luanda, Angola.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the President said the attacks threatened African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, stressing the need for collective intervention by African leaders.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu said.
The President called for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia, advocating dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action to protect African unity.
He acknowledged South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and recognised the country’s contributions to the development of the continent.
However, Tinubu urged African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to protecting the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of all African nationals regardless of their country of origin.
“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this august Assembly to place the matter on the agenda,” he said.
He requested that the issue be considered during the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027, with a view to taking appropriate continental action.
Tinubu said a collective response was necessary to address recurring attacks and promote peaceful coexistence among Africans across national borders.
Tinubu Backs Luanda Action Plan
On continental peace and security, the President supported the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical framework for strengthening conflict prevention mechanisms across Africa.
He said preventing conflicts was more cost effective and sustainable than managing crises after violence had occurred.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” Tinubu said.
The President warned that fragmented peace initiatives and increasing external interference could weaken the African Union’s conflict prevention mechanisms and undermine African ownership of the continent’s peace and security agenda.
He specifically identified foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors as factors that could undermine continent led approaches to resolving conflicts.
“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he said.
Tinubu also called on arms producing and exporting countries to strengthen cooperation with African states to prevent weapons and ammunition from being diverted to terrorist organisations and other non state armed groups.
He urged exporting countries to ensure that weapons produced within their jurisdictions did not fall into the hands of terrorists.
The President maintained that the African Union had established mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts but noted that limited trust among member states and inconsistent implementation had weakened their effectiveness.
He therefore called on AU member states to renew their commitment to collective responsibility for maintaining peace and security across the continent.
Tinubu urged African leaders to prioritise home grown solutions, stronger regional cooperation and shared responsibility in tackling Africa’s security challenges.
“Let us, therefore, renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” the President said.
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