President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally reported the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa to the African Union, calling for urgent collective action to protect the continent’s unity.
The President delivered Nigeria’s position on Saturday at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola, through Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In his message, President Tinubu expressed concern over the repeated attacks, warning that they undermine African solidarity, peaceful coexistence, and the 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,” the President said.
“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.”
President Tinubu 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.
The President also backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention across the continent. He said preventing conflicts was more cost-effective and sustainable than managing them after they erupt.
He warned that fragmented peace initiatives and growing reliance on foreign military forces, mercenaries, and private defence contractors risk weakening the AU’s conflict prevention mechanisms and the principle of African ownership.
“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” Tinubu said, calling on member states to renew their commitment to collective responsibility for Africa’s peace and security.
The President further urged arms-producing and exporting countries to cooperate with African states to prevent weapons from being diverted to terrorists and other non-state actors.
Nigeria also called for sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations and the full operationalisation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to strengthen the AU’s capacity to respond to crises.
“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” President Tinubu said.
The statement was signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Office of the Vice President.