Xenophobia: Tinubu reports South Africa to AU

President Bola Tinubu has officially reported the recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa to the African Union (AU).

Tinubu warned that the incidents undermined the continent’s solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.

Specifically, he requested prompt collective action from the continent’s leaders, including the placement of this matter on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly.

Tinubu made Nigeria’s position known in a message delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola.

Represented at the annual continental event by Shettima, the President called on the AU to place the matter on the agenda of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly scheduled for January 2027, while urging African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the safety, protection and dignity of all African nationals.

“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.