Tinubu Calls on AU to Take Action Against Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has called on the African Union (AU) to take swift action over attacks and acts of hostility faced by citizens of other countries in South Africa.
President Tinubu raised the issue at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held in Luanda, Angola, on Sunday. The President did not attend the meeting personally; Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him and conveyed Nigeria’s position and concerns to African leaders.
Tinubu’s remarks focused on recurring incidents in South Africa where Africans from other countries have faced hostility, threats, attacks and acts described as xenophobia and Afrophobia.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has called on the African Union (AU) to take swift action over attacks and acts of hostility faced by citizens of other countries in South Africa.
President Tinubu raised the issue at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held in Luanda, Angola, on Sunday. The President did not attend the meeting personally; Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him and conveyed Nigeria’s position and concerns to African leaders.
Tinubu’s remarks focused on recurring incidents in South Africa where Africans from other countries have faced hostility, threats, attacks and acts described as xenophobia and Afrophobia.
Tinubu Wants the AU to Put the Issue on Its Agenda
President Tinubu requested that the issue of attacks against foreigners in South Africa be included in the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, scheduled for January 2027.
This means Nigeria wants the issue to go beyond bilateral relations between two countries and become a matter for discussion among African countries as a whole.
Tinubu said that while South Africa has the right as a sovereign country to regulate migration and enforce its immigration and residency laws, attacks against people because of where they come from should not be tolerated.
President Tinubu requested that the issue of attacks against foreigners in South Africa be included in the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, scheduled for January 2027.
This means Nigeria wants the issue to go beyond bilateral relations between two countries and become a matter for discussion among African countries as a whole.
Tinubu said that while South Africa has the right as a sovereign country to regulate migration and enforce its immigration and residency laws, attacks against people because of where they come from should not be tolerated.
Nigeria Recognises South Africa’s Right to Regulate Migration
In his remarks, Tinubu did not reject South Africa’s right to enforce its immigration laws.
Instead, he distinguished between enforcing immigration laws and attacking people because they are foreigners.
According to the statement, Nigeria recognises that South Africa is a sovereign country and has the right to determine how foreigners enter the country and comply with its laws.
However, Tinubu stressed that attacks against Africans and citizens of other countries could undermine African unity, relations between nations and peace.
In his remarks, Tinubu did not reject South Africa’s right to enforce its immigration laws.
Instead, he distinguished between enforcing immigration laws and attacking people because they are foreigners.
According to the statement, Nigeria recognises that South Africa is a sovereign country and has the right to determine how foreigners enter the country and comply with its laws.
However, Tinubu stressed that attacks against Africans and citizens of other countries could undermine African unity, relations between nations and peace.
What Are Xenophobia and Afrophobia?
Xenophobia refers to hatred, fear or hostility toward foreigners or people from other countries.
In South Africa, the issue has been a subject of discussion for many years because of incidents involving Africans from other countries.
Afrophobia refers to hostility or discrimination against other Africans, particularly migrants from other African countries.
Such incidents can include physical attacks, looting or destruction of property, threats, and forcing people out of places where they live or work.
Xenophobia refers to hatred, fear or hostility toward foreigners or people from other countries.
In South Africa, the issue has been a subject of discussion for many years because of incidents involving Africans from other countries.
Afrophobia refers to hostility or discrimination against other Africans, particularly migrants from other African countries.
Such incidents can include physical attacks, looting or destruction of property, threats, and forcing people out of places where they live or work.
The Issue Has Affected Nigeria Before
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa are among the most important relationships in Africa.
Both countries are major economic and political powers on the continent. However, attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa have repeatedly caused tension between the two countries.
Nigeria has previously expressed concern whenever its citizens have faced harm in South Africa.
Tinubu’s decision to raise the issue at the AU represents another step toward having African leaders discuss the matter at the continental level.
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa are among the most important relationships in Africa.
Both countries are major economic and political powers on the continent. However, attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa have repeatedly caused tension between the two countries.
Nigeria has previously expressed concern whenever its citizens have faced harm in South Africa.
Tinubu’s decision to raise the issue at the AU represents another step toward having African leaders discuss the matter at the continental level.
Tinubu Calls for Cooperation Instead of Confrontation
The President also emphasised the importance of dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action in preventing problems from escalating into major conflicts.
This means African countries should not wait until attacks occur before taking action.
Instead, they should establish mechanisms to ensure that conflicts and hatred that could result in violence are prevented before they escalate.
Tinubu wants the AU to become stronger in conflict prevention and cooperation among African countries.
The President also emphasised the importance of dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action in preventing problems from escalating into major conflicts.
This means African countries should not wait until attacks occur before taking action.
Instead, they should establish mechanisms to ensure that conflicts and hatred that could result in violence are prevented before they escalate.
Tinubu wants the AU to become stronger in conflict prevention and cooperation among African countries.
President Also Speaks on Security in Africa
In addition to xenophobia in South Africa, Tinubu also addressed the security challenges facing Africa.
He supported the Luanda Action Plan as a mechanism through which the AU can strengthen conflict prevention and responses to security challenges across the continent.
Tinubu said preventing conflicts is less costly and causes less harm than waiting until fighting begins before attempting to stop it.
He also warned that excessive reliance on foreign powers could weaken African institutions and the principle of African ownership.
In addition to xenophobia in South Africa, Tinubu also addressed the security challenges facing Africa.
He supported the Luanda Action Plan as a mechanism through which the AU can strengthen conflict prevention and responses to security challenges across the continent.
Tinubu said preventing conflicts is less costly and causes less harm than waiting until fighting begins before attempting to stop it.
He also warned that excessive reliance on foreign powers could weaken African institutions and the principle of African ownership.
He Warns About Foreign Forces in African Conflicts
Tinubu further stated that the use of foreign troops, mercenaries and private security companies in African conflicts could make it more difficult for the AU to resolve the continent’s problems independently.
He called on African countries to rely more on mechanisms they have established themselves so that African problems can be solved from within Africa.
He also called for stronger cooperation between arms-producing and arms-exporting countries and African nations to prevent weapons and military equipment from falling into the hands of terrorist groups and violent non-state actors.
Tinubu further stated that the use of foreign troops, mercenaries and private security companies in African conflicts could make it more difficult for the AU to resolve the continent’s problems independently.
He called on African countries to rely more on mechanisms they have established themselves so that African problems can be solved from within Africa.
He also called for stronger cooperation between arms-producing and arms-exporting countries and African nations to prevent weapons and military equipment from falling into the hands of terrorist groups and violent non-state actors.
Nigeria Wants a Stronger AU
Tinubu also pointed out that the AU already has mechanisms and institutions capable of helping Africa prevent and resolve conflicts.
However, he said lack of trust among countries and inadequate management in implementing those mechanisms could reduce their effectiveness.
He therefore called for greater cooperation and action based on decisions collectively made by member states.
Nigeria also supports predictable and adequate funding for AU peace operations so that the organisation can have sufficient capacity to respond to security challenges.
Tinubu also pointed out that the AU already has mechanisms and institutions capable of helping Africa prevent and resolve conflicts.
However, he said lack of trust among countries and inadequate management in implementing those mechanisms could reduce their effectiveness.
He therefore called for greater cooperation and action based on decisions collectively made by member states.
Nigeria also supports predictable and adequate funding for AU peace operations so that the organisation can have sufficient capacity to respond to security challenges.
What Could Nigeria’s Request Mean?
If the AU places xenophobia on the agenda of its January 2027 meeting, African leaders will have an opportunity to discuss the incidents taking place, their causes and ways to reduce them.
It could also provide an opportunity for countries to establish policies to protect Africans living in other African countries.
The issue is particularly important because migration between African countries has increased, with people moving to other countries for employment, education, business and other opportunities.
If the AU places xenophobia on the agenda of its January 2027 meeting, African leaders will have an opportunity to discuss the incidents taking place, their causes and ways to reduce them.
It could also provide an opportunity for countries to establish policies to protect Africans living in other African countries.
The issue is particularly important because migration between African countries has increased, with people moving to other countries for employment, education, business and other opportunities.
Tinubu Calls for a United Africa
At the conclusion of his remarks, Tinubu called on African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to solidarity, cooperation and shared responsibility.
He said African problems should be addressed collectively by Africans rather than each country facing them alone.
For Nigeria, attacks against foreigners in South Africa are more than simply a migrant issue. They concern how African countries coexist, how people move across the continent, and how African unity can be strengthened.
Nigeria’s position is now that the African Union should not allow the issue to pass without action. Nigeria wants it placed on the agenda of the upcoming AU meeting in January 2027 so that African leaders can discuss the matter and identify appropriate measures to prevent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks across the continent.
The development also highlights that as Africa works toward building a more united and peaceful continent, the safety and dignity of Africans—regardless of which country they come from—are issues that African leaders cannot afford to ignore.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Tinubu called on African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to solidarity, cooperation and shared responsibility.
He said African problems should be addressed collectively by Africans rather than each country facing them alone.
For Nigeria, attacks against foreigners in South Africa are more than simply a migrant issue. They concern how African countries coexist, how people move across the continent, and how African unity can be strengthened.
Nigeria’s position is now that the African Union should not allow the issue to pass without action. Nigeria wants it placed on the agenda of the upcoming AU meeting in January 2027 so that African leaders can discuss the matter and identify appropriate measures to prevent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks across the continent.
The development also highlights that as Africa works toward building a more united and peaceful continent, the safety and dignity of Africans—regardless of which country they come from—are issues that African leaders cannot afford to ignore.