President Bola Tinubu has formally raised concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa before the African Union, warning that the incidents undermine continental solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.
Tinubu specifically called for prompt collective action by African leaders and urged the AU to place the matter on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly scheduled for January 2027.
The Nigerian leader made the position known in a message delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola.
Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola on Sunday, 30-08-2026.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Office of the Vice President.
Representing the President at the continental gathering, Shettima conveyed Nigeria’s call for stronger efforts to protect the safety, dignity and rights of African nationals across the continent.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa.
“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.
“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,” he declared.
Tinubu also called for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia, stressing that dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action were essential to preserving African unity.
Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Ojo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (Rtd), Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, (UNECA) Ambassador Nasir Aminu and Chargé d’Affaires, Nigerian Mission in Angola, Ambassador Maxy Ogbede at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola on Sunday,30-08-2026
On the wider security situation across the continent, Nigeria backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention.
The President argued that preventing conflicts was more cost-effective and sustainable than managing them after they erupt.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” President Tinubu said.
He warned that fragmented peace initiatives and increasing external interference through foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors risk weakening the AU’s conflict prevention mechanisms and the principle of African ownership.
Tinubu also called on arms-producing and exporting countries to strengthen cooperation with African states and prevent weapons and ammunition produced within their jurisdictions from being diverted to terrorists and other non-state armed groups.
Vice President Kashim Shettima (4th from left, middle row) in the company of other heads of state and delegations at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola on Sunday, 30-08-2026.
The President maintained that although the AU has robust mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, limited trust and inconsistent implementation continue to undermine their effectiveness.
“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he said, calling on member states to renew their commitment to collective responsibility for Africa’s peace and security.
Nigeria further backed sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations and the full operationalisation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to strengthen the continental body’s capacity to respond effectively to conflicts and crises.
Tinubu urged African leaders to recommit to home-grown solutions, stronger cooperation and shared responsibility in addressing 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,” the President said.
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