Nigeria Demands AU Action: Address South Africa Xenophobia Attacks

• Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has formally reported recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa to the African Union.
• Nigeria demands the issue be placed on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in January 2027, urging collective action.
• The Nigerian government warns that these attacks undermine African solidarity, unity, and peaceful coexistence.
• Nigeria also supported the Luanda Action Plan for conflict prevention and called for stronger AU mechanisms, including predictable financing.
• The nation cautioned against external interference and fragmented peace initiatives that weaken African institutions.

Nigeria has formally urged the African Union to address recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, warning that these incidents threaten the continent's fundamental principles of solidarity and peaceful coexistence.

Nigeria has formally urged the African Union to address recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, warning that these incidents threaten the continent's fundamental principles of solidarity and peaceful coexistence. President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria conveyed this message through his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held in Luanda, Angola. The Nigerian leader emphasized that these persistent attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals necessitate immediate collective action from continental leaders.

A key demand from Nigeria is the inclusion of this critical issue on the agenda for the upcoming 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, which is slated for January 2027. President Tinubu called upon African heads of state to reaffirm their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the safety, protection, and dignity of all African nationals across the continent. While acknowledging South Africa's sovereign authority to enforce its immigration laws and recognizing its significant contributions to Africa, Nigeria underscored that the continuation of such attacks fundamentally undermines African unity and requires urgent, concerted attention from the AU.

The Nigerian government's stance highlights a broader concern for the integrity of African solidarity. President Tinubu advocated for more robust continental efforts to combat both xenophobia and Afrophobia, identifying dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and collective action as essential tools for maintaining African unity. This perspective frames the issue not merely as a domestic concern for South Africa but as a challenge to the foundational values of the African Union itself.

The call for action at the 40th Ordinary Session in 2027 signals Nigeria's intent to elevate the discussion to a high-level policy forum, potentially leading to resolutions or recommendations that could influence regional human rights enforcement and diplomatic relations. By stressing the need for leaders to commit to the protection of all African nationals, Nigeria is pushing for a continent-wide standard of conduct that transcends national borders in matters of human dignity and safety.

Beyond the immediate issue of xenophobia, Nigeria also articulated its position on wider security challenges facing the continent. The nation expressed support for the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan, viewing it as a practical framework designed to enhance conflict prevention efforts. Nigeria's leadership posited that preventing conflicts is a more cost-effective and sustainable approach than managing them once they have erupted.

President Tinubu further cautioned against factors that could weaken the AU's conflict prevention mechanisms and undermine the principle of African ownership. He specifically cited fragmented peace initiatives and the increasing reliance on external interference, including foreign military forces, mercenaries, and private defense contractors. Additionally, Nigeria urged arms-producing and exporting countries to bolster cooperation with African states to prevent the diversion of weapons and ammunition to terrorist organizations and other non-state armed groups. The Nigerian leader noted that despite the AU possessing robust mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution, their effectiveness is often hampered by limited trust and inconsistent implementation among member states, with a growing dependence on external actors further risking the weakening of African institutions.

To address these systemic weaknesses, Nigeria called upon member states to renew their commitment to collective responsibility for Africa's peace and security. This includes advocating for sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations. Furthermore, Nigeria backed the full operationalization of UN Security Council Resolution 2719, a measure aimed at strengthening the continental body's capacity to respond effectively to various conflicts and crises across Africa. These proposals underscore Nigeria's vision for a more self-reliant and effective African Union, capable of addressing both internal social tensions and broader security threats with greater autonomy and impact.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the African Union's 40th Assembly for potential resolutions or policy recommendations concerning xenophobia in South Africa, which could influence future regional human rights enforcement and diplomatic relations affecting businesses and foreign nationals.

Source: Reporting based on official statements from the African Union summit.