Nigeria Demands AU Action Over South Africa Xenophobic Attacks

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally reported recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa to the African Union during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly in Luanda, Angola. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu argued that while South Africa has the sovereign right to enforce immigration laws, such actions do not justify violent attacks that undermine continental solidarity and unity.

Tinubu requested that the African Union place the issue on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly in January 2027 to facilitate collective action. Adding to the urgency, Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu indicated that Nigeria may take retaliatory measures if the violent attacks persist.

During the summit, Nigeria also endorsed the Luanda Action Plan, with Tinubu advocating for conflict prevention over management as a more cost-effective strategy. He warned that a growing reliance on mercenaries, private defense contractors, and external military forces weakens African ownership of security. Additionally, he urged arms-exporting nations to block weapons from reaching terrorists and called for the full operationalization of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to improve the financing of African Union peace operations.