President Bola Tinubu has taken Nigeria’s concerns over recurring South Africa xenophobic attacks to the African Union, calling for collective action to protect Africans and other foreign nationals living in the country.
Tinubu urged African leaders to treat the issue as a continental concern, warning that repeated xenophobic and Afrophobic violence undermines African unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.
The Nigerian leader also asked the African Union to place the matter on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, scheduled for January 2027.
Tinubu’s position was presented at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the gathering.
Nigeria’s position was later disclosed in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
South Africa Xenophobic Attacks Raised Before AU Leaders
Nigeria formally expressed concern over recurring attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa during the continental meeting.
Tinubu said Nigeria recognised South Africa’s sovereign authority to enforce its immigration laws and acknowledged the country’s contributions to Africa.
However, he stressed that South Africa xenophobic attacks should not be ignored because violence directed at foreign nationals threatens the ideals of continental cooperation and integration.
The President said African countries must find ways to address xenophobia and Afrophobia while respecting national sovereignty and maintaining peaceful relations among citizens and communities.
Nigeria consequently called on the AU Assembly to give the matter formal consideration at its January 2027 summit.
The move signals Abuja’s push for the issue to receive wider continental attention rather than being treated solely as a domestic matter for South Africa.
Tinubu’s intervention also places renewed emphasis on the safety and dignity of Africans living and working outside their countries of origin.
South Africa Xenophobic Attacks Require Collective Response
Tinubu called for stronger cooperation among African governments to address the causes and consequences of xenophobic and Afrophobic violence.
He said dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action were necessary to protect the rights, dignity and safety of African nationals across the continent.
According to the Nigerian President, South Africa xenophobic attacks undermine the spirit of African solidarity and could weaken efforts to build stronger cooperation among member states.
Nigeria urged African leaders to work together to prevent future violence and promote peaceful coexistence among Africans regardless of nationality.
The President’s call places the issue within a broader discussion about the responsibility of African governments and continental institutions to protect citizens living outside their home countries.
Tinubu also urged leaders to pursue practical measures capable of preventing tensions from escalating into violence.
He maintained that addressing xenophobia requires more than reacting after incidents occur, stressing the importance of early intervention and sustained dialogue.
South Africa Xenophobic Attacks And African Unity
Beyond concerns surrounding South Africa xenophobic attacks, Tinubu used Nigeria’s intervention to address wider peace and security challenges confronting the continent.
Nigeria backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan, describing it as a practical framework for strengthening conflict prevention across Africa.
Tinubu argued that preventing conflicts before they escalate remains more sustainable and less costly than managing crises after violence has begun.
He warned that fragmented peace initiatives and growing dependence on external actors could weaken the African Union’s existing mechanisms.
The President specifically raised concerns about the involvement of foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors in African security matters.
According to Tinubu, increasing reliance on outside actors could undermine the principle of African ownership of solutions to African conflicts.
He called on African governments to strengthen trust in continental institutions and improve cooperation in preventing and resolving crises.
South Africa Xenophobic Attacks Highlight Security Concerns
Tinubu also linked continental unity with the need for stronger cooperation on Africa’s broader security challenges.
He called on countries that produce and export arms to strengthen collaboration with African governments to stop weapons and ammunition from reaching terrorists and other non-state armed groups.
The President said Africa already has established mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, but limited trust and inconsistent implementation have reduced their effectiveness.
While South Africa xenophobic attacks remain a distinct concern, Tinubu’s wider message focused on the need for African governments to strengthen continental institutions and work collectively.
He said external dependence should not replace African responsibility for addressing the continent’s security challenges.
Nigeria also supported sustainable and predictable financing for African Union peace operations.
Tinubu further backed the full operationalisation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 to strengthen the AU’s ability to respond to conflicts and crises.
The Nigerian government believes stronger institutions and coordinated action can improve Africa’s capacity to manage threats without excessive dependence on external intervention.
South Africa Xenophobic Attacks Prompt Call For African Solutions
Tinubu urged African leaders to renew their commitment to home-grown solutions and shared responsibility for peace and security.
He said stronger cooperation and collective responsibility were necessary to address challenges confronting the continent.
The President warned that Africa’s institutions could be weakened if member states increasingly relied on external actors to manage conflicts and security threats.
Nigeria’s intervention on South Africa xenophobic attacks therefore formed part of a broader appeal for continental solidarity and African-led responses.
Tinubu called on member states to strengthen cooperation and preserve the principles of unity and mutual responsibility.
He urged African leaders to recommit themselves to solidarity as the continent works towards what he described as the shared vision of building “the Africa we want.”
South Africa Xenophobic Attacks Await AU Consideration
Nigeria’s request means the recurring incidents could receive formal attention when African leaders meet for the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session in January 2027.
The South Africa xenophobic attacks issue has now been formally raised at the continental level, with Tinubu seeking collective engagement by African governments.
The outcome will depend on whether the African Union includes the matter on its agenda and agrees on measures to address xenophobia and Afrophobia.
For Nigeria, the central concern remains the protection of Africans and other nationals from violence and discrimination while promoting peaceful coexistence across the continent.
Tinubu’s call in Luanda places renewed attention on the relationship between national immigration policies, the safety of foreign nationals and the wider goal of African integration.
Nigeria has maintained that the fight against xenophobia requires dialogue, preventive measures and collective action, rather than responses after violence has already occurred.
The President’s appeal also reinforces Nigeria’s position that African countries must take collective responsibility for protecting continental unity and promoting peaceful coexistence among their peoples.
