Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has formally presented Nigeria’s concerns regarding the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other nationals in South Africa to the African Union (AU). In a strong statement, Tinubu warned that these incidents undermine the continent’s solidarity, unity, and peaceful coexistence.
The president made Nigeria’s position known through Vice-President Kashim Shettima during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola. He specifically called for prompt collective action from African leaders and requested that the matter be included on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly scheduled for January 2027.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu declared. While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and recognizing its contributions to the continent, he emphasized that such attacks require urgent collective attention.
The president called for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia, stressing that dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and collective action remain essential to preserving African unity.
On the broader security landscape 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 proves more cost-effective and sustainable than managing them after they erupt.
He warned that fragmented peace initiatives and increasing external interference through foreign military forces, mercenaries, and private defense contractors risk weakening the AU’s conflict prevention mechanisms and the principle of African ownership.
Furthermore, Tinubu called on arms-producing and exporting countries to strengthen cooperation with African states and prevent weapons and ammunition from being diverted to terrorists and other non-state armed groups. He maintained that while the AU possesses robust 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 stated, 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 operationalization of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to strengthen the continental body’s capacity to respond effectively to conflicts and crises.
Concluding his remarks, Tinubu urged African leaders to recommit themselves to home-grown solutions, stronger cooperation, and shared responsibility in addressing the continent’s security challenges.
“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” the president stated.
