President Bola Tinubu has formally called on the African Union to address recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic violence targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola, the President emphasized that these systemic attacks directly erode continental solidarity, unity, and peaceful coexistence.
He urged African leaders to take immediate, collective action to protect foreign nationals and uphold the spirit of brotherhood across the continent.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu said.
He called for stronger continental efforts against xenophobia and Afrophobia, emphasising dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action to preserve African unity.
Tinubu also acknowledged South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and recognised the country’s contributions to Africa’s development.
He, however, urged African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to protecting the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of all African nationals.
“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this August Assembly to place the matter on the agenda,” he said, requesting that the issue be considered at the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session, scheduled for January 2027, for appropriate continental action.
He said collective intervention was necessary to address recurring attacks and strengthen peaceful coexistence among Africans across national borders.
On continental security, Tinubu supported adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention mechanisms.
He argued that preventing conflicts remained more cost-effective and sustainable than managing crises after violence had already erupted.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” Tinubu said.
The President warned that fragmented peace initiatives and growing external interference could weaken the AU’s conflict-prevention mechanisms and African ownership.
He specifically cited foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors as factors capable of undermining continent-led approaches to peace and security.
“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he said.
Tinubu also urged arms-producing and exporting countries to strengthen cooperation with African states to prevent weapons diversion to terrorist groups.
He called for measures ensuring weapons and ammunition produced within exporting countries’ jurisdictions did not reach terrorists or other non-state armed groups.
The President maintained that the AU possessed robust mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, but limited trust and inconsistent implementation weakened their effectiveness.
He, therefore, called on member states to renew their commitment to collective responsibility for Africa’s peace and security.
Tinubu urged African leaders to prioritise home-grown solutions, stronger cooperation and shared responsibility in confronting 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.”