Tinubu Asks African Union To Address Xenophobic Attacks In South Africa

President Bola Tinubu has called on the African Union (AU) to take action against the repeated xenophobic and anti-African attacks reported in South Africa.

Tinubu made the call on Sunday during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented him at the meeting and delivered his speech.

The Nigerian president urged the AU to discuss the issue at its 40th Ordinary Session, which is scheduled for January 2027.

Tinubu also called on African leaders to strengthen efforts to protect the safety, dignity and rights of African citizens across the continent.

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

“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. 

“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this august Assembly to place the matter on the agenda of the upcoming 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action.”

He called for stronger continental efforts to fight xenophobia and Afrophobia, saying African leaders must rely on dialogue, diplomacy and joint action to protect the unity of the continent.

Speaking on security, Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s support for the proposed Luanda Action Plan as a framework for improving conflict prevention across Africa.

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

The president also raised concerns about the increasing involvement of foreign military forces, mercenaries and private security companies in African conflicts.

“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he said.

Tinubu further urged countries that manufacture and export weapons to cooperate with African governments to stop arms and ammunition from getting into the hands of terrorist organisations and other armed groups.

He noted that the AU already has systems for preventing and resolving conflicts but said their impact had been weakened by a lack of trust and poor implementation.

The president therefore called on AU member states to improve cooperation and take greater responsibility for maintaining peace and security across Africa.

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