President Bola Tinubu has called on African leaders to speak with one voice in condemning the ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, describing such intolerance as completely unacceptable.
Speaking on Sunday at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said a unified continental response would send a strong message that xenophobia has no place in Africa.
He disclosed that Nigeria had already evacuated more than 1,490 of its citizens from South Africa in seven batches and remained ready to take further steps to protect its nationals.
“Nigeria condemns, in the strongest terms, the recent attacks on its citizens and other Africans in the Republic of South Africa,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
The President backed Ghana’s call for ECOWAS to adopt a common position and present the issue at the next African Union summit.
According to him, such a move would send a clear signal that xenophobic violence is unacceptable under any circumstance, while reminding South Africa that its freedom was achieved through the sacrifices and solidarity of African nations, including Nigeria.
Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the newly adopted ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a landmark framework that reflects the collective determination of member states to strengthen regional cooperation.
He said the compact would help rebuild trust between citizens and public institutions, reinforce regional solidarity and create a more resilient, prosperous and peaceful West African community capable of meeting the aspirations of its more than 400 million people.
The President urged ECOWAS leaders to intensify joint efforts to combat insecurity and unconstitutional changes of government, stressing that Nigeria remained committed to promoting regional unity, peace, economic integration and democratic governance.
“As the largest economy and one of the founding members of ECOWAS, Nigeria will continue to work closely with member states and stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the compact and the achievement of its six strategic pillars,” he said.
Tinubu further called on the regional bloc to continue defending constitutional rule, the rule of law and full compliance with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance as essential foundations for lasting political stability in the region.
