Nigeria Urges AU to Confront Ongoing Xenophobia Against Africans in South Africa

Nigeria’s president says enough is enough and demands urgent action to sustain Africa’s solidarity and unity at the 21st Extraordinary AU Summit.

President Bola Tinubu formally reported the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa to the African Union, warning that such incidents undermine the continent’s solidarity, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

He specifically requested prompt collective action from African leaders, including placing the issue on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly.

The Nigerian leader articulated his nation’s position in a message delivered by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Luanda, Angola.

Represented at the event by Mr. Shettima, President Tinubu called on the AU to include the matter on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly scheduled for January 2027, urging African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the safety, protection, and dignity of all African nationals.

“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa.

“While recognizing 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 declared.

President Tinubu advocated for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia, emphasizing that dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and collective action remain essential to preserving African unity.

On broader security matters, Nigeria supported the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention, arguing that preventing conflicts is more cost‑effective and sustainable than managing them after they erupt.

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

The Nigerian leader warned that fragmented peace initiatives and increasing external interference—through foreign military forces, mercenaries, and private defence contractors—risk weakening AU conflict‑prevention mechanisms and the principle of African ownership.

He further urged arms‑producing and exporting nations to enhance cooperation with African states and prevent weapons and ammunition from being diverted to terrorists and other non‑state armed groups.

He noted that while the AU possesses robust conflict‑prevention and resolution mechanisms, 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 said, calling on 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 operationalisation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to enhance the continental body’s capacity to respond effectively to conflicts and crises.

President Tinubu urged African leaders to recommit themselves to home‑grown solutions, stronger cooperation, and shared responsibility in tackling 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 added.

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President)

30th August, 2026

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