Nigeria Takes South Africa Xenophobia Concerns to African Union, Mzansi Voices Frustration
- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu escalated concerns over xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa
- Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima indicated how the country would proceed with its complaints
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on Nigeria's plans, with many expressing frustration with it
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Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
ANGOLA - Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has brought South Africa's ongoing xenophobia and Afrophobia crisis before the African Union, calling for collective continental action.
Nigeria presented its position during the AU's 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly, held in Luanda, Angola. Tinubu, represented at the session by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged African leaders to treat the recurring attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa as a matter requiring a co-ordinated continental response.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently told Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders that he was ashamed of attacks carried out against foreign nationals living in the country.
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Nigeria calls for AU formal agenda item
The core of Nigeria's intervention was a request for the issue to be placed before the AU Assembly's 40th Ordinary Session, scheduled for January 2027.
If approved, that step could bring South Africa's handling of xenophobic and Afrophobic violence before presidents and heads of government from across the continent. Nigeria framed the attacks as a pattern that undermines African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, arguing that the matter therefore demands more than bilateral attention.
The government's statement described what it called recurring attacks against Africans and other foreign nationals living in South Africa, concerns that have intensified in the wake of recent anti-illegal immigration protests across the country.
South Africans push back online
The move drew sharp criticism from South Africans on social media, with many questioning Nigeria's focus on regional affairs at the expense of its own domestic challenges.
Abby Webb wrote:
"He must first tell all African countries why his citizens flee Nigeria and infest themselves undocumented in SA."
Ntokozo Okmalumteekay commented:
"Nigeria has some serious domestic problems, such as religious disputes, tribalism and terrorism, but somehow they don't see the need to prioritise them. Instead, they are too invested in what's happening in other countries. I guess that's because what's happening in SA right now disrupts their drug supply chain."
William Shake Spear argued:
"Let him keep dreaming. There won't be any action as the xenophobia isn't conducted by the SA government and people who commit crimes are being dealt with already."
Yah KaMzingeli Mncwango added:
"Instead of fixing their collapsing economy and Boko Haram. They are running away from responsibilities."
Unclee Polo said simply:
"Nigerians are obsessed with South Africans."
Ramaphosa insists that South Africans aren't xenophobic
Briefly News reported previously that President Ramaphosa weighed in on the recent tensions in South Africa between locals and foreign nationals.
The president insisted that South Africans were not xenophobic, saying that they wanted to live together with other Africans in the country.
South Africans weighed in on Ramaphosa's statement, sharing mixed reactions to his view on the actions of citizens.
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Source: Briefly News
