Tinubu Takes Fight Against Xenophobic, Afrophobic Attacks In South Africa To AU

Tinubu Takes Fight Against Xenophobic, Afrophobic Attacks in South Africa to AU President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken Nigeria’s concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa to the African Union AU, calling for urgent action to protect African unity and solidarity.

Speaking at the 21st Extraordinary Summit of the African Union, President Tinubu said the continent could no longer remain silent in the face of attacks against Africans by fellow Africans. The President described the situation as a threat to the principles of African solidarity and called on African leaders to take decisive steps to address xenophobia, Afrophobia and other forms of discrimination across the continent. Tinubu stressed that the movement of Africans across national borders should not become a source of hostility, intimidation or violence, urging governments to protect the rights and dignity of their citizens and other Africans residing within their territories. The Nigerian leader also called on African countries to strengthen cooperation in tackling insecurity, terrorism and other challenges undermining peace and development across the continent. He urged AU member states to recommit themselves to home-grown African solutions to the continent’s problems, arguing that stronger regional cooperation remains essential to achieving sustainable peace and development. Tinubu said Africa must preserve its unity and ensure that the ideals of Pan-Africanism are reflected in the treatment of Africans across the continent. The President’s intervention comes amid continuing concerns over attacks and discrimination against foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly Nigerians and other African migrants. He called for urgent and collective action by African leaders to prevent such incidents from undermining relations between African countries. “Enough is enough,” the President said, stressing the need for practical measures to sustain Africa’s solidarity, unity and shared prosperity. The Nigerian government is expected to continue engaging South African authorities and relevant African institutions on the protection of Nigerians and other Africans living and working in South Africa.