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 (AU), calling for urgent collective action to address the incidents.
Tinubu made Nigeria’s position known on Sunday, August 30, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola.
The President specifically called on African leaders to place the issue on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, stressing the need for a coordinated continental response.
According to Tinubu, the recurring attacks threaten the principles of solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence that underpin the African project.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Shettima said while delivering the President’s message.
Tinubu acknowledged South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and recognised the country’s contributions to the continent.
However, he maintained that immigration enforcement should not result in attacks or actions that undermine the safety and dignity of other African nationals.
“While recognising South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce immigration laws and acknowledging its contributions to the continent, Nigeria stresses that such attacks undermine Africa’s solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence and require urgent collective action,” he said.
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The President therefore urged the AU Assembly to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the safety, dignity and rights of African nationals across the continent.
“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this August Assembly to reaffirm its commitment to the safety, protection and dignity of all African nationals in strengthening efforts to combat Xenophobia and Afrophobia,” he added.
The development comes as African leaders gather in Luanda to deliberate on strengthening the continent’s mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts.
The 21st Extraordinary Session is focused on strengthening African-led approaches to peace, security and stability amid persistent conflicts, terrorism, political instability and unconstitutional changes of government across the continent.
Nigeria’s intervention adds xenophobia and Afrophobia to the broader security and political concerns confronting the continent.
The country has historically maintained strong political, economic and diplomatic ties with South Africa, while Nigerian citizens have also been among African nationals affected by tensions surrounding immigration, employment and migration in the country.
Tinubu’s call for the matter to be considered at the AU’s next Ordinary Session signals Nigeria’s preference for a continental diplomatic response rather than isolated bilateral interventions.
Through Shettima’s representation, Nigeria is seeking to reinforce the principle that the protection of Africans should remain a shared responsibility and that disputes surrounding migration and immigration must be addressed without compromising the safety and dignity of African nationals.