President Bola Tinubu has formally raised concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa before the African Union, calling for urgent collective action.

Tinubu made Nigeria’s position known in a message delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola.

The President called on the AU to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027 and urged African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the safety, protection and dignity of all African nationals.

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

While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and its contributions to the continent, the President said such attacks undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.

Tinubu also called for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia, stressing the need for dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action.

On the wider security situation in Africa, the President supported the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention.

He argued that preventing conflicts was more cost-effective and sustainable than managing them after they had erupted.

Tinubu also warned that increasing reliance on foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken African ownership of peace and security initiatives.

He called on arms-producing and exporting countries to strengthen cooperation with African states and prevent weapons and ammunition from being diverted to terrorists and other non-state armed groups.

Nigeria further backed sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has explained that Tinubu’s ongoing three-week vacation is intended to allow the President to rest and recharge ahead of the political activities leading to the 2027 general election.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu had remained heavily engaged with governance over the past six to seven months, during which his administration took major decisions on the economy and security.

Dare said the timing of the vacation was also linked to the commencement of the 2027 political season, which he described as a period of intense campaigning.

He, however, stressed that governance would continue and that the President would remain engaged with government affairs while away.

“And at this point, the campaign season has just started. We have four, five months of serious campaigning. Of course, governance will still continue,” Dare said.