Tinubu made the call on Sunday at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, where he was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued by Shettima’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, the President formally raised Nigeria’s concerns over the attacks before the continental body.
Tinubu acknowledged South
Africa’s sovereign authority to enforce its immigration laws and its contributions to Africa’s development, but warned that violence and discrimination against other Africans undermine the principles of unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.
He consequently asked the AU to include the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027, with a view to adopting appropriate measures.
The President also advocated stronger continental mechanisms to confront xenophobia and Afrophobia, stressing the importance of dialogue, preventive diplomacy and coordinated action in preserving peace and unity across Africa.
On the continent’s wider security challenges, Tinubu endorsed the Luanda Action Plan as a framework for improving conflict prevention and addressing crises before they escalate.
“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” he said.
He expressed concern over the increasing involvement of foreign military forces, mercenaries and private security contractors in African conflicts, warning that excessive dependence on external actors could weaken African institutions and undermine the principle of African ownership of the continent’s peace and security efforts.
Tinubu further called on countries that manufacture and export arms to work more closely with African governments to prevent weapons and ammunition from being diverted to terrorists and other armed groups.
According to him, the AU has established mechanisms capable of preventing and resolving conflicts, but weak trust among member states and poor implementation continue to limit their effectiveness.
Nigeria also supported calls for reliable and sustainable funding for AU-led peace operations, as well as the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 to strengthen the AU’s capacity to respond effectively to conflicts and humanitarian crises.
The President urged African countries to prioritise homegrown solutions to the continent’s security and social problems, calling for renewed commitment to solidarity, cooperation and shared responsibility in building a stronger Africa.
