Nigeria urges AU action over xenophobic, Afrophobic attacks in South Africa

Nigeria has urged the African Union (AU) to take more decisive action against the wave of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks that have been occurring in South Africa, targeting Africans and other foreign nationals. At the African Union Extraordinary Session held in Luanda, Angola, Vice President Kashim Shettima spoke on behalf of President Bola Tinubu and emphasized that these attacks undermine African solidarity, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

While acknowledging South Africa's right to enforce its immigration laws and recognizing the country's contributions to the continent, Shettima stressed that such incidents had to be addressed through collective action at the AU level. He called for the AU Assembly to reaffirm its commitment to the safety, protection, and dignity of all African nationals and urged the continental body to prioritize the issue on its agenda for the upcoming 40th Ordinary Session.

Nigeria advocated for dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and collective efforts to strengthen African unity and solidarity. The plea comes as the treatment of foreign nationals, including Africans, in South Africa continues to be a matter of concern. By balancing South Africa's right to enforce its immigration laws with the overarching principle of protecting the dignity and safety of African nationals, Nigeria's stance seeks to bring the issue to the forefront of continental discussions, advocating for dialogue and preventive diplomacy over confrontation.