President Bola Tinubu has urged African Union (AU) leaders to strengthen continental mechanisms for conflict prevention while taking coordinated action against xenophobia and Afrophobia targeting Africans in South Africa.
Tinubu made the call through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Luanda, Angola.
The President asked African leaders to include recurring attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa on the agenda of the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027.
He said protecting the safety and dignity of Africans across the continent should remain central to the principles of African unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.
While recognising South Africa’s authority to enforce its immigration laws, Tinubu stressed that such measures must not lead to violence, discrimination or attacks against other Africans and foreign nationals.
He called for greater use of dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action to tackle xenophobia and Afrophobia across the continent.
Tinubu also backed the proposed Luanda Action Plan on conflict prevention, describing prevention as a more sustainable and cost-effective approach than waiting for conflicts to escalate before responding.
The President expressed concern over uncoordinated peace initiatives and the growing involvement of foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence companies in African conflicts, warning that such developments could weaken the continent’s ability to resolve its own crises.
He further called on arms-producing and exporting countries to deepen cooperation with African governments to prevent weapons and ammunition from falling into the hands of terrorists and other armed groups.
According to Tinubu, the AU has developed mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, but inadequate trust and weak implementation continue to undermine their effectiveness.
He therefore advocated stronger commitment by member states to existing continental peace and security frameworks to enable Africa to take greater responsibility for resolving its security challenges.
