Nigeria asks African Union to act against xenophobia in South Africa

President Bola Tinubu has reported the ongoing xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks on Africans and other foreigners in South Africa to the African Union. He warned that these attacks threaten the unity and peaceful living among countries in Africa.

He specifically asked the leaders of the continent to take quick action. He wants this issue to be added to the agenda for the upcoming 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly.

Tinubu's message was delivered by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union in Luanda, Angola. Shettima represented Nigeria at this important event.

The president urged the AU to include this matter on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027. He also called on African leaders to show their commitment to the safety and dignity of all Africans.

“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.

“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 stated.

President Tinubu asked for stronger efforts across the continent to fight xenophobia and Afrophobia. He emphasized that dialogue and teamwork are critical for maintaining African unity.

On the broader security issues facing the continent, Nigeria supported the Luanda Action Plan as a practical way to strengthen conflict prevention. He argued that preventing conflicts is cheaper and more effective than dealing with them after they occur.

“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” President Tinubu said.

He warned that disjointed peace efforts and increasing foreign involvement could weaken the AU’s ability to prevent conflicts. This includes foreign military forces, mercenaries, and private security companies.

He also urged countries that make and sell weapons to work more closely with African nations. They should ensure that weapons produced within their borders do not end up with terrorists or other armed groups.

The Nigerian leader pointed out that while the AU has strong systems to prevent and resolve conflicts, a lack of trust and inconsistent actions weaken their effectiveness.

“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he noted. He called on member states to recommit to working together for peace and security in Africa.

Nigeria supports reliable funding for AU peace operations and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719. This would help the AU respond better to conflicts.

President Tinubu encouraged African leaders to focus on home-grown solutions and stronger cooperation to tackle security issues.

“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” the president said.