Tinubu Seeks AU Intervention Over Rising Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

President Bola Tinubu has called on the African Union (AU) to take decisive action against recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, warning that such incidents threaten the unity and peaceful coexistence of African nations.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at an African Union summit in Luanda, Angola, the President urged member states to treat the issue as a continental concern and include it in discussions at the AU’s next Assembly meeting scheduled for January 2027.

Tinubu acknowledged South Africa’s right to enforce its immigration policies but stressed that violence and hostility directed at Africans and other foreign nationals undermine the principles of African solidarity and integration. He called for a collective response aimed at addressing the root causes of xenophobia and strengthening unity across the continent.

The President also advocated greater cooperation among African countries in tackling security challenges, noting that preventive measures remain more effective and less costly than responding to conflicts after they erupt.

He endorsed the implementation of the Luanda Action Plan as a framework for enhancing conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts across Africa, while cautioning against excessive dependence on foreign military actors and private security contractors in resolving the continent’s crises.

According to him, Africa must strengthen its own institutions and mechanisms for maintaining peace and security while promoting homegrown solutions to regional challenges.

Tinubu further appealed to countries involved in arms production and exports to work closely with African governments to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of terrorist groups and other non-state actors operating across the continent.

He noted that although the African Union possesses established conflict-resolution structures, challenges such as weak implementation and insufficient cooperation among member states continue to limit their effectiveness.

The President also reiterated Nigeria’s support for sustainable funding of African peace operations and stronger international backing for the AU’s efforts to manage conflicts and humanitarian crises.

He concluded by urging African leaders to deepen cooperation, strengthen solidarity, and embrace shared responsibility in building a more secure and prosperous continent.