Tinubu, at AU Assembly, Rallies Africa Against Xenophobia, Foreign Interference, Arms Proliferation

By Peter Salami
President Bola Tinubu has challenged African leaders to defend the dignity of every African regardless of national borders, warning that xenophobia, foreign interference and the proliferation of arms threaten the continent’s unity, peace and security.

Tinubu, who spoke through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Luanda, Angola, on Sunday, formally drew the attention of the continental body to recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians, other Africans and foreign nationals in South Africa.

The President warned that attacks on fellow Africans undermine the ideals of African solidarity, integration and peaceful coexistence and therefore demand the collective attention of the continent’s leaders.

“Nigeria wishes to express its concern over the recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa,” Tinubu told the Assembly.

He called for stronger continental action against xenophobia and Afrophobia, urging African governments to deploy dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action to protect Africans wherever they live on the continent.

While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and recognising the country’s contributions to Africa’s development, Tinubu said immigration enforcement must go hand in hand with respect for human dignity and fundamental rights.

He urged African leaders to reaffirm their collective responsibility to protect the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of all African nationals.

“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this august Assembly to place the matter on the agenda,” he said.

Tinubu requested that the issue be formally considered at the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027, paving the way for appropriate continental action against recurring attacks on African migrants.

The President said a collective response was necessary not only to protect vulnerable African nationals but also to strengthen peaceful coexistence and reinforce the spirit of African brotherhood across national boundaries.

Turning to the continent’s wider security challenges, Tinubu backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical roadmap for strengthening Africa’s conflict-prevention architecture.

He argued that African governments must invest more aggressively in preventing conflicts rather than waiting until violence erupts before committing enormous resources to crisis management.

“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” Tinubu said.

The President also raised concerns over fragmented peace initiatives and increasing external interference in African security affairs, warning that these could undermine the authority of the African Union and weaken the continent’s ability to take ownership of its security.

He identified the growing presence of foreign military forces, mercenaries, and private defence contractors as developments requiring particular attention from African leaders.

“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he said.

Tinubu maintained that Africa must develop the confidence, institutions and collective capacity to take greater responsibility for resolving its own conflicts rather than becoming excessively dependent on outside powers.

He also challenged arms-producing and exporting countries to accept greater responsibility for preventing weapons manufactured within their jurisdictions from finding their way into the hands of terrorists and other armed non-state groups operating across Africa.

The President called for deeper cooperation between weapons-producing countries and African governments to track arms flows, prevent diversion and disrupt supply networks sustaining terrorist organisations and violent groups.

Tinubu said the African Union already possesses significant mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution, but warned that inadequate trust among member states and inconsistent implementation of continental decisions continue to limit their effectiveness.

He therefore urged AU member states to recommit themselves to collective responsibility for the continent’s peace, security and stability.

According to the President, Africa’s long-term security will ultimately depend on stronger cooperation among its countries, greater reliance on home-grown solutions and a shared determination to defend African interests.

“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” Tinubu said.