Tinubu Escalates Xenophobia Concerns to AU
President Bola Tinubu has formally raised Nigeria’s concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic
attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa with the African Union, calling for urgent
collective action to protect the safety, dignity and rights of African citizens across the continent.
Tinubu’s position was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of
the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on Sunday.
In a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and
Communication, the President said the attacks undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful
coexistence.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against
Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu stated through his representative.
“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.”
He specifically requested that the issue be placed on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU
Assembly, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action by African leaders.
Tinubu also urged the continental body and member states to strengthen efforts to combat xenophobia
and Afrophobia, emphasising that dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action remain essential
to preserving African unity.
The intervention forms part of Nigeria’s broader engagement at the Luanda session, where the country
also supported the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a framework for strengthening conflict
prevention across the continent.
Officials noted that Nigeria has previously evacuated citizens affected by such incidents in South Africa
and continues to monitor the situation closely.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
