President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken Nigeria’s concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa to the African Union (AU), calling for urgent collective action.
Tinubu made the position known through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola.
The Nigerian President expressed concern over attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa, stressing that such incidents undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.
While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Tinubu maintained that the enforcement of such laws should not result in attacks that threaten the safety and dignity of Africans.
Nigeria has consequently asked the AU to place the matter on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action by African leaders.
Tinubu also called for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia, emphasising dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action as necessary tools for protecting African unity.
The President further warned about the growing involvement of external military actors, mercenaries and private defence contractors in African conflicts, arguing that such interventions could weaken the principle of African ownership of peace and security initiatives.
Nigeria also backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as part of efforts to strengthen conflict prevention across the continent.
Tinubu argued that preventing conflicts was more sustainable and cost-effective than attempting to manage them after they had already escalated.
The intervention comes amid continued concerns over the treatment of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa and the potential effect of xenophobic attacks on diplomatic relations between African countries.Tags: Bola Tinubu, South Africa, Xenophobia, Afrophobia, African Union, Nigeria, Nigerians Abroad, Kashim Shettima
Tinubu Takes South Africa Xenophobia Concerns to AU, Demands Continental Action
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken Nigeria’s concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa to the African Union (AU), calling for urgent collective action.
Tinubu made the position known through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola.
The Nigerian President expressed concern over attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa, stressing that such incidents undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.
While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Tinubu maintained that the enforcement of such laws should not result in attacks that threaten the safety and dignity of Africans.
Nigeria has consequently asked the AU to place the matter on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action by African leaders.
Tinubu also called for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia, emphasising dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action as necessary tools for protecting African unity.
The President further warned about the growing involvement of external military actors, mercenaries and private defence contractors in African conflicts, arguing that such interventions could weaken the principle of African ownership of peace and security initiatives.
Nigeria also backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as part of efforts to strengthen conflict prevention across the continent.
Tinubu argued that preventing conflicts was more sustainable and cost-effective than attempting to manage them after they had already escalated.
The intervention comes amid continued concerns over the treatment of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa and the potential effect of xenophobic attacks on diplomatic relations between African countries.