President Bola Tinubu has asked the African Union (AU) to take collective action against recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other nationals in South Africa, warning that the incidents threaten the continent’s unity and peaceful coexistence.
Tinubu made the demand yesterday at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola, where he was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The President urged African leaders to place the issue on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly scheduled for January 2027, where he said appropriate action should be considered.
Nigeria acknowledged South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and its contributions to the continent but argued that such powers should not result in attacks against other Africans.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu said.
He called for stronger continental efforts against xenophobia and Afrophobia, advocating dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action to protect the safety and dignity of African nationals.
The President also used the summit to push for a stronger African approach to conflict prevention, supporting the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a framework for addressing conflicts before they escalate.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” he said.
Tinubu warned that fragmented peace initiatives and growing dependence on foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken African institutions and undermine the principle of African ownership of the continent’s security challenges.
He also urged arms-producing and exporting countries to work more closely with African states to prevent weapons manufactured within their territories from being diverted to terrorist organisations and other armed groups.
According to him, the AU already possesses mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution, but limited trust and inconsistent implementation continue to undermine their effectiveness.
Nigeria further backed predictable and sustainable funding for AU peace operations and called for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 to strengthen the continent’s capacity to respond to crises.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has explained President Tinubu’s ongoing three-week vacation to Europe, saying the break was intended to allow him to rest before the demanding political season ahead of the 2027 elections.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu had spent the previous six to seven months handling major decisions on the economy, security and governance.
He said the timing of the vacation also coincided with the beginning of political activities, with the President expected to face several months of campaigning while continuing to discharge his responsibilities as head of government.
Dare said Tinubu would continue to monitor government affairs during the break, describing the vacation as an opportunity for the President to recharge ahead of the intense political period.
