…Urges African Leaders to Protect Rights, Dignity of Citizens Across the Continent
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken South Africa before the African Union over what he described as continued xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans, particularly Nigerians living in the country.
The President urged the AU to compel the South African government to address the attacks and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
Tinubu made the call in a message delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Luanda, Angola.
He urged the continental body to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action.
According to the President, attacks targeting African nationals undermine the continent’s solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, making it imperative for African leaders to protect the safety, dignity and rights of all Africans, regardless of where they live on the continent.
Tinubu acknowledged South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, as well as the country’s contributions to Africa’s development.
He, however, stressed that immigration enforcement must not become a justification for xenophobia or attacks against fellow Africans.
The Nigerian leader called for stronger continental action against xenophobia and Afrophobia through dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective intervention.
Africa’s Security Challenges
On the broader security situation across Africa, President Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s support for the Luanda Action Plan, describing it as a roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention across the continent.
He argued that preventing conflicts is more cost-effective and sustainable than attempting to manage them after they have erupted.
Tinubu also warned that fragmented peace initiatives and growing external involvement by foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken the AU’s conflict-prevention mechanisms and undermine the principle of African ownership of African security challenges.
He called on arms-producing and exporting countries to work more closely with African governments to prevent weapons and ammunition from falling into the hands of terrorists and other non-state armed groups.
The President noted that although the AU has established mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, limited trust and inconsistent implementation continue to weaken their effectiveness.
He also advocated sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations and full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719, which addresses the financing of AU-led peace support operations.
Tinubu urged African leaders to renew their commitment to home-grown solutions, stronger cooperation and shared responsibility in tackling the continent’s security challenges.
He said a collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation and shared responsibility remains critical to building the Africa that Africans want.
