Tinubu asks AU to tackle xenophobic attacks, warns against foreign interference in Africa

President Bola Tinubu has urged the African Union (AU) to confront xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other foreigners in South Africa. He emphasized the need to discuss the issue during the AU's 40th Ordinary Session in January 2027, which will take place in Luanda, Angola. Tinubu made this request during a speech given by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly.

The president highlighted that these attacks undermine African unity and peaceful coexistence, calling for dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and collective action to tackle xenophobia and Afrophobia across the continent. He acknowledged South Africa's right to enforce its immigration laws while stressing that such measures should not infringe upon the safety, dignity, and rights of Africans living or traveling within Africa.

Tinubu's call also reflects Nigeria's ongoing concerns about the treatment of its citizens and fellow Africans in South Africa. Previous incidents of xenophobic violence have strained relations between African nations and raised broader questions about the protection of citizens within the continent. Tinubu used the AU meeting to advocate for a more African-led approach to conflict resolution and security challenges, endorsing the Luanda Action Plan as a sustainable and cost-effective method to prevent conflicts rather than addressing them after they escalate.

He also cautioned against excessive reliance on foreign military forces, mercenaries, and private defense contractors, arguing that this could erode African institutions and the principle of African leadership in peace and security initiatives. In July, Nigeria strongly rebuked South Africa over repeated attacks against its citizens, directly warning Pretoria that the violence has a long-standing pattern.

These incidents of violence against foreigners in South Africa have garnered widespread condemnation across Nigeria and internationally. The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally condemned the attacks and warned of all possible options if attacks on Nigerians continue. In May, the Nigerian community in South Africa reported that at least 105 Nigerians had been killed over the past seven years due to recurring xenophobic violence targeting migrants.

Furthermore, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned South Africa's Acting High Commissioner for diplomatic talks in response to renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks against Nigerians. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa recently connected the rising xenophobic tensions in South Africa to increasing worries about illegal immigration.

Tinubu's stance on these issues underscores the broader debate on how the continent can collectively address its challenges.