Nigeria has called on the African Union to take stronger and more coordinated action against recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
President Bola Tinubu made the position known through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Luanda, Angola.
Tinubu urged African leaders to place the issue on the agenda of the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027, saying the repeated attacks threatened the principles of African unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.
Nigeria acknowledged South Africa’s right to enforce its immigration laws but stressed that such powers should not be accompanied by attacks or discrimination against other Africans.
The President called for renewed continental efforts to protect the safety, dignity and rights of African nationals across the continent.
He said dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action remained essential to addressing xenophobia and Afrophobia before they escalate into wider diplomatic and security crises.
Tinubu also used the AU meeting to advocate stronger measures for preventing conflicts across Africa. He supported the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan, describing conflict prevention as more sustainable and less costly than dealing with crises after they have erupted.
The Nigerian leader expressed concern over the growing involvement of foreign military forces, mercenaries and private security contractors in African conflicts.
According to him, excessive reliance on external actors could weaken African institutions and undermine the principle that African countries should take ownership of solutions to the continent’s problems.
Tinubu further called on countries that manufacture and export arms to work more closely with African governments to prevent weapons and ammunition from being diverted to terrorists and other armed groups.
He noted that although the AU has established mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution, inadequate trust and inconsistent implementation have limited their effectiveness.
Nigeria also backed predictable and sustainable financing for AU peace operations, as well as full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719, which is intended to strengthen the AU’s capacity to respond to conflicts and crises.
Tinubu urged African leaders to strengthen cooperation and embrace home-grown solutions to the continent’s security challenges.
He said renewed commitment to collective responsibility would be necessary to build a more peaceful, secure and united Africa.
