President Bola Tinubu has called on African leaders to speak with one voice against the recurring attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, warning that failing to respond decisively could embolden intolerance across the continent.
Tinubu made the appeal through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held on Sunday in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The Vice President’s official social media page disclosed the President’s position in a statement released after the meeting.
The call comes amid fresh attacks on Nigerians and other Africans living in South Africa, incidents that have repeatedly tested diplomatic ties between the two countries and previously led the Nigerian government to carry out evacuation operations.
According to the statement, Tinubu stressed that a collective denunciation by African nations would demonstrate that xenophobic attacks, also referred to as Afrophobic attacks, are unacceptable anywhere on the continent.
“Nigeria condemns, in the strongest terms, the recent attacks on its citizens and other Africans in the Republic of South Africa.
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“As already stated by His Excellency, the President of Ghana, ECOWAS should present a united voice in this condemnation and table the matter before the next session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the African Union,” Tinubu said through Shettima.
The President also revealed that the Federal Government has evacuated more than 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in seven separate batches since the attacks began and remains ready to take further action if required.
He added that Nigeria would continue safeguarding its citizens while maintaining diplomatic engagement with South African authorities over the repeated incidents.
Addressing regional matters, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s backing for the newly introduced ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a strategic framework for deepening collaboration among member states.
He said the initiative reflects the bloc’s determination to restore public confidence in regional institutions and keep the integration agenda effective despite evolving geopolitical realities.