Nigeria has expressed deep concern over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa, calling for urgent and collective action to protect the safety, dignity and rights of people across the continent.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, conveyed Nigeria’s position during the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union held in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking before African leaders and representatives at the gathering, Vice President Shettima said Nigeria remains worried about the repeated attacks against African nationals and other foreigners in South Africa.
According to him, while Nigeria recognises South Africa’s sovereign authority to enforce its immigration laws and acknowledges the country’s significant contributions to Africa, violence and discrimination against fellow Africans threaten the continent’s long-standing ideals of unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.
Nigeria stressed that the fight against illegal immigration or other security concerns must not become an excuse for xenophobia, Afrophobia, discrimination or attacks against African nationals.
The Federal Government therefore called on African leaders to take stronger and more coordinated measures to address the growing challenge.
Nigeria urged the Assembly of the African Union to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of all Africans, regardless of their country of origin or residence.
Vice President Shettima emphasised that xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks undermine the vision of African unity and integration, warning that the continent must work collectively to prevent discrimination and violence against fellow Africans.
“While recognising South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce immigration laws and acknowledging its contributions to the continent, Nigeria stresses that such attacks undermine Africa’s solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence and require urgent collective action,” the Nigerian position stated.
Nigeria further called on African leaders and institutions to strengthen efforts aimed at combating xenophobia and Afrophobia across the continent.
“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this August Assembly to reaffirm its commitment to the safety, protection and dignity of all African nationals in strengthening efforts to combat Xenophobia and Afrophobia,” the statement added.
The intervention by Vice President Shettima reflects President Tinubu’s position that African countries must promote tolerance, unity and mutual respect while taking decisive steps against discrimination and violence.
Nigeria maintained that Africa’s vision of deeper integration and continental cooperation cannot be fully realised in an environment where Africans are subjected to attacks and hostility in fellow African countries.
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The Federal Government therefore called for immediate action and stronger cooperation among African nations to ensure that every African can live, work and travel across the continent in safety and dignity.
[…] Nigeria Demands Urgent AU Action Over Xenophobic Attacks on Africans in South Africa […]