President Tinubu has urged the African Union to address recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa and strengthen protection for Africans across the continent.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the African Union (AU) to take concrete steps against the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks involving Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The Nigerian President said incidents of hostility against Africans living or working in South Africa should not be treated as isolated events because of their potential impact on the unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence of countries on the continent.
Tinubu made Nigeria’s position known during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union held in Luanda, Angola.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented the Nigerian leader at the meeting and delivered the President’s message to other African leaders and representatives gathered for the session.
According to Tinubu, Nigeria acknowledges South Africa’s authority as a sovereign nation to regulate immigration and enforce its laws. However, he stressed that the exercise of such powers should not result in violence, discrimination or attacks against fellow Africans.
Nigeria’s intervention followed concerns over recurring incidents described as xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, with the Federal Government urging the continental body to respond collectively.
Tinubu called for the issue to be included in the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, which is scheduled for January 2027.
The President said giving the matter formal attention at the continental level would provide an opportunity for African leaders to examine the problem and consider appropriate measures to prevent further attacks.
“While recognising 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,” Tinubu said.
He further appealed to African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of citizens of African countries wherever they may reside within the continent.
For Nigeria, the issue goes beyond relations between individual countries. Tinubu suggested that continued attacks against Africans could weaken the sense of shared identity and collective responsibility that underpins efforts toward deeper African integration.
He therefore urged the AU to develop stronger continental responses to xenophobia and Afrophobia while encouraging member states to address tensions through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.
“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,” the President stated.
Tinubu also used the occasion to draw attention to the wider security challenges confronting African countries.
Nigeria supported the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan, describing it as a useful framework for improving conflict prevention and strengthening the continent’s ability to respond to emerging security threats before they develop into prolonged crises.
The Nigerian leader argued that African countries would benefit more from preventing conflicts than from waiting until disputes escalate before intervening.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” Tinubu said.
His position reflects Nigeria’s longstanding argument that resources devoted to early intervention, mediation and diplomacy can help African countries avoid the much heavier economic and humanitarian costs associated with prolonged conflicts.
Tinubu maintained that preventing instability should therefore remain a central priority for the AU and its member states.
He, however, expressed concern about the increasing fragmentation of peace initiatives across the continent.
According to the President, the emergence of separate and sometimes competing approaches to peace and security could make it more difficult for the AU to coordinate effective responses to conflicts.
He also raised concerns about growing external involvement in African security matters, particularly through foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors.
Tinubu warned that the continued presence of such actors could undermine the continent’s existing conflict-prevention structures and weaken the principle that African countries should play the leading role in resolving African security problems.
The President’s comments placed the question of African ownership at the centre of Nigeria’s position on continental peace and security.
He stressed the importance of strengthening African institutions and ensuring that peace-building and conflict-prevention initiatives are coordinated around the interests and realities of countries on the continent.
The Nigerian government believes that a stronger AU framework would enable African countries to respond more effectively to both security crises and threats to the welfare of African citizens.
Tinubu’s intervention at the Luanda meeting therefore covered two interconnected issues: the protection of Africans from xenophobic attacks and the need to improve the continent’s capacity to prevent conflicts.
On xenophobia, Nigeria wants the AU to give greater attention to the treatment of Africans in South Africa and to consider measures capable of discouraging future attacks.
On security, the President advocated preventive diplomacy and stronger continental institutions rather than approaches that rely heavily on intervention after violence has already broken out.
He also emphasised dialogue and diplomacy as important tools for addressing disagreements among African countries and communities.
The Nigerian leader’s call is expected to place the issue of xenophobia and Afrophobia on the agenda for further discussion among African leaders ahead of the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session in January 2027.
Nigeria is also expected to continue pushing for greater protection of African nationals and stronger cooperation among member states on matters affecting citizens across national borders.
The Federal Government’s position is that African unity cannot be fully achieved if citizens of one African country face hostility or violence simply because they are living in another African nation.
Tinubu consequently urged the continental body to treat the issue as one requiring collective attention while encouraging African governments to preserve peaceful relations and respect the dignity of all Africans.
The President’s remarks also reinforced Nigeria’s broader call for an Africa capable of addressing its challenges through its own institutions, diplomatic channels and coordinated security mechanisms.
By backing the Luanda Action Plan and calling for stronger measures against xenophobia, Tinubu said African leaders must remain focused on building a continent where conflicts are prevented, citizens are protected and disputes are resolved through peaceful means.
The Nigerian government maintains that stronger solidarity among African nations remains essential to achieving sustainable peace, stability and integration across the continent.
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