𝑻𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒃𝒖 𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝑨𝑼: 𝑨𝒄𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the African Union to step in and end the repeated attacks on Africans and other foreigners living in South Africa.

Represented at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola, the President said the violence was damaging African unity and the peaceful life the continent is trying to build. Tribune Online reported the statement.

He made it clear that while South Africa has the right to enforce its immigration laws, the attacks on migrants must not continue.

“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” the statement said.

To address it, Tinubu asked AU leaders to include the matter on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly coming up in January 2027, so concrete steps can be taken.

According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Nigeria has already started bringing its citizens home. More than 1,500 Nigerians have been evacuated voluntarily following recent anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.

The President said the best way forward is through dialogue, early diplomacy and joint action by African countries.

He also spoke about security across the continent. Nigeria, he noted, supports the Luanda Action Plan because stopping conflicts early is better than managing them after they break out.  

“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” Tinubu said.

He raised concern over the increasing use of foreign soldiers, mercenaries and private security companies in Africa. According to him, this weakens the AU’s own systems and the idea that Africans should lead solutions to African problems.

Tinubu further urged countries that manufacture and sell arms to work with African governments to prevent those weapons from reaching terrorists and other armed groups.

He admitted that the AU has good structures for peace, but said lack of trust and poor follow-through have slowed progress.  

“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he warned, and asked member states to take more responsibility for peace on the continent.

Nigeria also threw its weight behind stronger and more predictable funding for AU peace operations. It also backed the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to help the AU respond quickly to conflicts.

Closing his remarks, the President called on African leaders to focus on solutions from within and to work together.  

“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want.”

The AU meeting in Luanda is expected to continue with talks on other major issues facing the continent.

Also read: The African Union and South Africa: Time for Real Action on Xenophobia

Tinubu Escalates Xenophobic Attacks In South Africa To AU, Seeks Collective Action

Xenophobia: Tinubu drags South Africa to AU