President Bola Tinubu has taken Nigeria’s concerns over xenophobic attacks in South Africa to the African Union.
The President made the position known through Vice President Kashim Shettima in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly, Tinubu called for urgent action from African leaders.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” he said.
Tinubu acknowledged South Africa’s right to enforce its immigration laws and its role in Africa’s development.
However, he said attacks against Africans threaten the continent’s unity and peaceful coexistence.
“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 action.”
The President asked the AU to place the South Africa xenophobia issue on the agenda for its January 2027 session.
He also urged African leaders to protect the safety, dignity and rights of Africans across the continent.
“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this August Assembly to reaffirm its commitment to the safety, protection and dignity of all African nationals in strengthening efforts to combat Xenophobia and Afrophobia.”
Tinubu further backed the Luanda Action Plan on conflict prevention across Africa.He argued that preventing conflicts is cheaper and more effective than managing violence after it begins.
The President also warned against growing reliance on foreign military forces and private security groups.
He urged African countries to strengthen cooperation and promote African-led solutions to security challenges.
The South Africa xenophobia debate is now expected to receive further attention at the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session in January 2027.
