Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has formally reported recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks on Africans in South Africa to the African Union, demanding urgent continental action to protect solidarity and unity.
According to a State House press release issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, the message was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola, on Sunday.
Tinubu requested the matter be placed on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in January 2027 for consideration and appropriate action by African leaders.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” the President stated through Shettima.
While recognising South Africa’s right to enforce immigration laws and its continental contributions, Nigeria stressed that the attacks undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, requiring urgent collective attention.
The call comes amid a surge in anti-migrant violence across South Africa this year. At least 98 Nigerians have been killed in such attacks since 2022, prompting Nigeria to evacuate nearly 1,500 citizens earlier this year.
UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recently raised alarm over killings, displacement of tens of thousands of migrants, looting and restrictions on access to services by vigilante groups.
Tinubu also urged stronger continental efforts against xenophobia through dialogue and preventive diplomacy. He backed the Luanda Action Plan for conflict prevention, arguing it is more cost-effective than managing crises after they erupt.
The Nigerian leader warned that reliance on external military forces and private contractors risks weakening African ownership of peace and security mechanisms. He called for arms-exporting countries to prevent weapons diversion to non-state groups.
Nigeria further supported sustainable financing for AU peace operations and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719. Tinubu urged leaders to renew commitment to home-grown solutions and shared responsibility.
“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” he said.
The move elevates bilateral tensions between Africa’s two largest economies to the continental stage, following Nigeria’s July diplomatic protests to Pretoria over the killings.
