from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – NIGERIA has formally reported recurring attacks against African nationals in South Africa to the African Union (AU).
President Bola Tinubu reported the Southern African country and called on the AU to place the matter on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly in January 2027.
The president said such incidents undermine continental unity and peaceful coexistence.
Kashim Shettima, his deputy, delivered the message at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU in Luanda, Angola.
“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” he stated.
According to Shettima, Tinubu said while recognising South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and acknowledging its contributions to the continent, Nigeria stressed that such attacks undermined African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence and required 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.”
Nigeria has called for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia, stressing that dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action remained essential to preserving African unity.
On the wider security situation across the continent, Nigeria backs the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention, arguing that preventing conflicts was cheaper and more sustainable than managing them after they erupt.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” according to Tinubu.
Nigeria is the second country after Ghana to report South Africa to the AU.
The two West African nations are among several countries that have repatriated their nationals after the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
– CAJ News