Tinubu Takes South Africa Xenophobia Crisis To AU, Demands Urgent Action

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged African leaders to take urgent and coordinated action against the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

Tinubu warned that the attacks could undermine unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence among African countries, calling on the African Union (AU) to give the issue serious attention.

The President made the call on Sunday while addressing the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola. He was represented at the continental gathering by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the President’s position was conveyed by Shettima, who expressed Nigeria’s concern over repeated attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

Tinubu acknowledged South Africa’s sovereign authority to enforce its immigration laws and recognised the country’s contributions to the development of the African continent. However, he stressed that such authority should not be used to justify actions capable of damaging relations among African nations.

The President urged the AU to place the issue of xenophobia and Afrophobia on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session, scheduled for January 2027, for proper consideration and appropriate action.

He also called for stronger continental measures to combat xenophobia, emphasising the need for dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action to preserve African unity.

Tinubu’s intervention formed part of Nigeria’s broader contribution to discussions on peace and security during the AU meeting.

On Africa’s wider security challenges, the President backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a framework for strengthening conflict prevention across the continent.

He maintained that preventing conflicts was more sustainable and cost-effective than waiting for violence to occur before responding.

Tinubu also expressed concern over what he described as fragmented peace initiatives and the increasing involvement of external actors in African conflicts.

According to him, the growing presence of foreign military forces, mercenaries and private security contractors could weaken Africa’s own conflict-prevention mechanisms and undermine the principle of African ownership of peace and security efforts.

The President further called on arms-producing and exporting countries to strengthen cooperation with African nations and ensure that weapons and ammunition manufactured within their territories do not fall into the hands of terrorists and other non-state armed groups.

Tinubu noted that the African Union already possesses mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts but said a lack of trust among member states and weak implementation had continued to limit their effectiveness.

He urged African countries to renew their commitment to taking collective responsibility for peace and security rather than relying excessively on external intervention.

Nigeria also supported calls for sustainable and predictable funding for African Union peace operations, with Tinubu backing the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 to enhance the AU’s ability to respond effectively to conflicts and crises.

The President called on African leaders to prioritise home-grown solutions, stronger cooperation and shared responsibility in addressing the continent’s security challenges.

He urged member states to strengthen their commitment to solidarity and cooperation in pursuit of a more peaceful and united Africa.