President Bola Tinubu has officially reported xenophobic attacks in South Africa to African Union (AU) urging action against recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks on Africans and other nationals in South Africa.
Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, made the call on Sunday at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola.
He said the attacks undermined African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, urging continental leaders to address the matter through dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu said.
While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and its contributions to Africa’s development, the President urged African leaders to protect the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of all Africans.
He called on the AU to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027 for appropriate continental action.
On security, Tinubu backed the Luanda Action Plan, describing conflict prevention as more cost-effective and sustainable than managing crises after violence erupts.
He warned that growing reliance on foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken African ownership of peace and security initiatives.
Tinubu also urged arms-producing and exporting countries to work with African states to prevent weapons and ammunition from being diverted to terrorist groups and other non-state armed groups.
He said although the AU had mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, limited trust and inconsistent implementation remained major challenges.
The President therefore urged member states to strengthen cooperation, collective responsibility and home-grown solutions to address Africa’s security challenges.
“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” he said.
