Nigeria Drags South Africa to AU Over Xenophobic, Afrophobic Attacks

LUANDA, Angola—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally reported recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa to the African Union, demanding urgent continental intervention and placement of the issue on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly.

Delivering the message through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola, the Nigerian leader emphasized that external security interference threatens African institutional ownership and called for adherence to conflict prevention frameworks like the Luanda Action Plan.

A Demand for AU Action

President Tinubu warned that the persistent hostility faced by foreigners in South Africa directly undermines the spirit of African solidarity, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration policies and its historical contributions to the continent, the Nigerian President stressed that the gravity of the attacks requires collective regional attention.

Consequently, Nigeria has requested that the matter be officially placed on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, scheduled for January 2027.

“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu’s statement read. “It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this august Assembly to place the matter on the agenda… for consideration and appropriate action.”

Security and Foreign Interference

Beyond regional diplomatic tensions, President Tinubu addressed the broader, deteriorating security architecture across Africa. He cautioned African heads of state against a growing reliance on external forces—including foreign militaries, mercenaries, and private defence contractors—stating that such dependencies weaken the AU’s foundational principle of “African ownership.”

To counter these vulnerabilities, Tinubu urged the continent to prioritize home-grown solutions and conflict prevention, which he described as far more cost-effective than managing active crises.

Key Continental Commitments Supported by Nigeria

The Luanda Action Plan—Formally endorsed by Nigeria as a practical roadmap to bolster conflict prevention mechanisms across member states.

UN Security Council Resolution 2719: Backed by Nigeria to secure sustainable, predictable financing for AU-led peace operations.

Global Arms Control Cooperation: A direct call to international arms-producing nations to tighten export controls, preventing weapons from being diverted to terrorists and non-state armed groups on the continent.

President Tinubu concluded by noting that while the AU possesses robust institutional frameworks to maintain peace, a lack of trust and inconsistent policy implementation among member states continue to stall progress. He called for a renewed commitment to shared responsibility to build a more stable and integrated continent.