TINUBU TAKES SOUTH AFRICA XENOPHOBIA CRISIS TO AU, SEEKS CONTINENTAL RESPONSE

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the African Union to take urgent collective action over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

Tinubu made the demand through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola. The President urged African leaders to treat the issue as a continental concern rather than an isolated domestic matter.

The Nigerian President asked the AU to place the issue of xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, scheduled for January 2027, for detailed consideration and appropriate action.

Tinubu acknowledged South Africa's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and recognised the country's contributions to the continent. However, he stressed that attacks targeting Africans and other nationals undermine the principles of African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.

He called on African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to protecting the safety, dignity and rights of all African nationals regardless of their countries of origin.

The President also urged the continental body to strengthen efforts against xenophobia and Afrophobia, emphasising the importance of dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action in addressing tensions before they escalate.

Nigeria's latest intervention comes after renewed concerns over attacks and hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa. The Nigerian government has previously condemned such incidents and taken steps to protect citizens affected by the unrest.

Tinubu also used the AU gathering to address broader security challenges confronting the continent. He supported the Luanda Action Plan as a framework for improving conflict prevention and tackling the underlying causes of instability in Africa.

According to the President, preventing conflicts is more sustainable and cost-effective than attempting to manage them after violence has already erupted. He therefore called for greater investment in preventive diplomacy and stronger cooperation among African states.

Tinubu further warned against increasing dependence on foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors to address Africa's security challenges.

He argued that excessive reliance on external actors could weaken African institutions and undermine the principle of African ownership of the continent's peace and security agenda.

The President also appealed to countries that manufacture and export arms to work more closely with African governments to prevent weapons and ammunition produced in their territories from being diverted to terrorists and other non-state armed groups.

He noted that although the AU has established mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, limited trust among member states and inconsistent implementation have continued to affect their effectiveness.

Nigeria also backed calls for sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719, which is intended to strengthen the continental body's capacity to respond to conflicts and crises.

Tinubu urged African leaders to prioritise home-grown solutions, stronger cooperation and shared responsibility in addressing the continent's security challenges.

The President's latest intervention places the recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa firmly on the continental agenda, with Nigeria pushing for the AU to develop a coordinated response that protects Africans and strengthens solidarity among member states.

The issue is expected to receive further attention when African leaders meet for the AU's ordinary session in January 2027.