President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has raised Nigeria’s concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa before the African Union (AU).
Represented at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, President Tinubu warned that hostility towards nationals of other countries in South Africa threatens African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.
Following a wave of anti immigrant protests, Nigeria had embarked on the voluntary evacuation of more than 1,500 of its citizens from South Africa.
In a statement signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, and made available to State House correspondents, Tinubu called for urgent collective action by African leaders.
He specifically urged the AU to place the issue on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action.
Tinubu said Nigeria recognised South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, as well as the country’s contributions to the continent, but stressed that attacks targeting Africans and other nationals required urgent continental attention.
He said, “Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa.
“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.”
The President also called for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia, stressing that dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action were essential to preserving African unity.
Addressing the wider security situation across the continent, Nigeria supported the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention.
Tinubu argued that preventing conflicts was more cost effective and sustainable than managing them after they had erupted.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” he said.
The President warned that fragmented peace initiatives and growing external interference through foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken the AU’s conflict prevention mechanisms and the principle of African ownership.
He also called on arms producing and exporting countries to strengthen cooperation with African states and prevent weapons and ammunition produced within their jurisdictions from being diverted to terrorists and other non state armed groups.
Tinubu maintained that although the AU has established mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, limited trust and inconsistent implementation continue to undermine their effectiveness.
“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he said, urging member states to renew their commitment to collective responsibility for Africa’s peace and security.
Nigeria also backed sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations and the full operationalisation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 to strengthen the continental body’s capacity to respond effectively to conflicts and crises.
Tinubu urged African leaders to recommit to home grown solutions, stronger cooperation and shared responsibility in addressing the continent’s security challenges
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“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” he said.(News Register)
