President Bola Tinubu has formally raised recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa with the African Union, saying the incidents threaten African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola, Tinubu urged African leaders to place the matter on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session 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.
“While recognising South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and acknowledging its contributions to the continent, Nigeria stresses that such attacks undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, and require urgent collective attention.
“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this august Assembly to place the matter on the agenda of the upcoming 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action,” he declared.
Tinubu also backed the Luanda Action Plan, saying conflict prevention is cheaper and more sustainable than managing conflicts after they begin.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” President Tinubu said.
He warned that external military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken African ownership of peace efforts, while urging arms-producing nations to prevent weapons from reaching terrorists.
He also sought predictable AU peace-operation funding and implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719.
Meanwhile, Special Adviser Sunday Dare said Tinubu’s three-week European vacation was to rest and “refuel” after six to seven months of intensive governance.
“The President has had several months — six, seven months — of being engaged with state matters. We’ve seen monumental changes, monumental decisions taken with our security, with our economy and so many other things as pertains to the running of the affairs of this country,” he said.
Dare said the break came as the 2027 campaign season began.
“And at this point, the campaign season has just started. We have four, five months of serious campaigning. Of course, governance will still continue,” Dare said.
