Tinubu takes South Africa xenophobic attacks against Nigerians to AU

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the African Union (AU) to take urgent action on recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

Tinubu made the demand in a message delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, on Sunday.

The summit focused largely on strengthening Africa’s capacity for conflict prevention and resolution, improving early-warning mechanisms and reinforcing the principle of African ownership of the continent’s peace and security challenges.

However, Nigeria used the high-level gathering to raise concerns over the treatment of Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa, asking the continental body to give the matter formal consideration.

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

The President acknowledged South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and recognised the country’s contributions to the continent.

He, however, warned that attacks against foreign nationals undermine the principles of African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence and require a collective response.

“While recognising South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and acknowledging its contributions to the continent, Nigeria stresses that such attacks undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, and require urgent collective attention,” he said.

Tinubu consequently asked the AU Assembly to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action.

“It is on this note that Nigeria calls on this august Assembly to place the matter on the agenda of the upcoming 40th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, scheduled for January 2027, for consideration and appropriate action,” he declared.

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The latest move represents a further escalation of Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts to address xenophobic attacks in South Africa, particularly those affecting Nigerians and other African migrants.

Nigeria has previously raised concerns with South African authorities over attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments. The Nigerian government has consistently maintained that concerns over immigration enforcement should not result in violence, discrimination or attacks against African nationals.

Tinubu’s decision to take the matter before the AU effectively broadens the issue from a bilateral dispute between Nigeria and South Africa into a wider continental concern involving the safety and dignity of African citizens across national borders.

The issue is particularly significant given the longstanding political, economic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa, two of Africa’s most influential countries.

Beyond the South Africa issue, Tinubu used the summit to call for stronger African ownership of the continent’s peace and security agenda.

Nigeria backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a roadmap for strengthening conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms across Africa.

“For Nigeria, conflict prevention remains more cost-effective and sustainable than conflict management,” Tinubu said.

He warned that fragmented peace initiatives and increasing dependence on foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors could weaken Africa’s ability to manage its own security challenges.

“The growing reliance on external actors risks weakening African institutions and the principle of African ownership,” he said.

Tinubu called on African governments to strengthen their commitment to home-grown solutions, preventive diplomacy and collective responsibility rather than relying excessively on external actors to resolve conflicts on the continent.

He also urged arms-producing and exporting countries to strengthen cooperation with African states and take steps to prevent weapons and ammunition produced within their jurisdictions from being diverted to terrorists and other non-state armed groups.

According to the President, the uncontrolled flow of weapons continues to aggravate insecurity and prolong conflicts in different parts of Africa.

He said African countries needed stronger cooperation with international partners to stop the diversion of arms into criminal and terrorist networks while simultaneously strengthening domestic mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts.

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Tinubu further noted that the AU already has established mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution, but limited trust, inconsistent implementation and inadequate resources continue to undermine their effectiveness.

He urged member states to demonstrate stronger political commitment to the decisions of the continental body and improve coordination between the AU and Africa’s regional organisations.

The President also backed sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations, saying the continental body must have adequate resources to respond effectively to emerging conflicts and security crises.

He specifically supported the full operationalisation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719, which established a framework for financing eligible AU-led peace support operations through UN assessed contributions on a case-by-case basis.

The financing mechanism is considered important to the AU’s long-term ambition of reducing dependence on unpredictable external funding for African-led peace operations.

Tinubu said strengthening the financial and institutional capacity of the AU would enable the continent to respond more quickly to crises before they escalate into prolonged conflicts.

The Nigerian leader’s intervention came against the backdrop of a deteriorating security environment in several parts of Africa, including conflicts, terrorism, violent extremism, political instability and transnational organised crime.

The AU has repeatedly warned that the continent’s security challenges are becoming increasingly complex, requiring stronger early-warning systems, preventive diplomacy and coordinated action.

Tinubu therefore urged African leaders to renew their commitment to solidarity and shared responsibility in addressing the continent’s challenges.

“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” he said.

The President’s call for AU action on xenophobia in South Africa is expected to keep the issue on the continental diplomatic agenda ahead of the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session in January 2027.

For Nigeria, the immediate concern remains the protection of Nigerians and other Africans living or conducting business in South Africa, while the broader objective is to ensure that immigration enforcement does not become a justification for violence or discrimination.

Tinubu’s intervention also reinforces Nigeria’s position that African countries must take collective responsibility for protecting the rights, safety and dignity of Africans wherever they live on the continent.

Tinubu takes South Africa xenophobic attacks against Nigerians to AU

Niger coup attempt: Gunfire, explosions rock Niamey as soldiers revolt

Niger Republic was plunged into fresh tension on Saturday, August 29, 2026, after a group of soldiers reportedly launched an uprising in the capital, Niamey, attacking strategic military and government locations in what authorities described as a mutiny and sources close to the military government characterised as a failed coup attempt.

Heavy gunfire and explosions were reported around the Diori Hamani International Airport, the adjoining Base 101 military facility and areas close to the Presidential Palace, as security forces moved to contain the uprising.

Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Mody, said the soldiers had broken military discipline, attempted to detain some of their colleagues at Base 101 and opened fire on sensitive locations in the capital.

According to Mody, loyal defence and security forces responded rapidly, preventing the mutiny from spreading and gradually restoring control over the affected areas.

The minister said the authorities had mobilised security personnel to contain the situation and protect key government and military installations.

However, security sources said the confrontation was more serious than an isolated disciplinary incident, with the soldiers reportedly attempting to move against the country’s leadership.

A security source cited in international reports said the mutineers attempted to enter the Presidential Palace, but were repelled by members of the presidential guard loyal to military leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

The reported attempt to reach the presidential compound heightened concerns that the incident could develop into a broader challenge to the military government.

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The unrest also affected Niger’s state broadcaster, with television and radio transmissions reportedly interrupted during the early stages of the confrontation.

State broadcasting later resumed, carrying the government’s account that mutinous soldiers had attacked sensitive sites and that loyal security forces had moved to contain them.

Residents in parts of Niamey reported hearing sustained exchanges of gunfire, while security forces were deployed around strategic locations, including the airport, military installations and government facilities.

Authorities subsequently appealed to residents to remain calm and continue with their normal activities, insisting that security forces were in control of the situation.

However, reports indicated that the situation remained fluid, with some of the soldiers allegedly barricaded at Base 101 while security forces worked to fully secure the facility.

The identities of all the soldiers involved, their precise demands and the extent of their support within the armed forces had not been fully established as of Saturday.

There were also no independently verified casualty figures immediately available.

The latest incident is particularly significant because Niger has been under military rule since July 2023, when General Tchiani led the overthrow of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

Tchiani subsequently became the head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the military body that has governed the country since the coup.

The new uprising represents a potentially serious internal challenge to the junta, particularly as Niger continues to face attacks from jihadist groups operating across the country’s borders with Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.

Niger’s armed forces have been fighting insurgent groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State in several parts of the country, with military units frequently deployed to remote and conflict-affected areas.

The security situation has been one of the central issues used by the military authorities to justify their continued hold on power.

The latest unrest also comes amid major changes in Niger’s foreign and defence relationships.

Since the 2023 coup, the military government has distanced itself from France and several Western partners while strengthening ties with Russia and deepening security cooperation with neighbouring military-led governments in Mali and Burkina Faso.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have also formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) after breaking away from the regional Economic Community of West African States.

Despite those changes, persistent jihadist attacks have continued to pose a major challenge to the three Sahel countries.

The strategic importance of the locations targeted during Saturday’s unrest also added to the seriousness of the incident.

Base 101, located near Diori Hamani International Airport, is an important military facility and has previously been targeted by armed groups.

The airport itself has also faced security threats in 2026, highlighting the vulnerability of strategic infrastructure in the capital.

The latest confrontation therefore has implications beyond the immediate political crisis, as any prolonged instability in Niamey could affect the government’s ability to coordinate military operations against insurgent groups across the country.

The Nigerien government has maintained that loyal security forces are restoring order and has urged citizens to reject rumours and remain calm.

Meanwhile, investigations are expected to focus on the soldiers involved, their motives, their possible demands and whether other elements within the armed forces supported the attempted uprising.

While the government has so far characterised the incident as a mutiny and breach of military discipline, reports from sources close to the regime have described it as an attempted coup.

The competing descriptions reflect the political sensitivity of the incident, coming three years after the military itself seized power through a coup.

For now, Nigerien authorities say security forces remain in control of the capital as efforts continue to secure affected military facilities and determine the full circumstances surrounding the uprising.

Niger coup attempt: Gunfire, explosions rock Niamey as soldiers revolt

Married father of two exposed after allegedly posing as Catholic priest in Kenya

A married father of two has been exposed in Kenya after allegedly posing as a Catholic priest, celebrating Mass and carrying out other religious activities at several Catholic worship centres in Turkana County.

The man, identified as Jones Bogonko Onchonga, allegedly gained access to the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar by presenting documents that purportedly supported his claim that he was an ordained Catholic priest.

According to reports from Kenyan and Catholic news outlets, Onchonga allegedly presented himself as “Fr Jones Bogonko Onchonga, M.C.” and claimed an association with the Missionaries of Charity.

He reportedly participated in Catholic activities at several locations, including St Augustine Cathedral, St Thomas Chapel and St Mary’s Shrine in Lodaraja.

His alleged impersonation came to light after photographs surfaced showing him celebrating Mass alongside the Bishop of Lodwar, Rt. Rev. John Mbinda, C.S.Sp.

The photographs reportedly triggered questions among Catholic clergy and members of the community, leading to further checks into his identity and credentials.

According to Agenzia Fides, police investigations later indicated that Onchonga had allegedly been posing as a Catholic priest for almost two years.

Investigators reportedly found that he arrived in Lodwar in 2025 with documents identifying him as a priest of the Missionaries of Charity.

The investigation also allegedly established that Onchonga had never attended a Catholic seminary and had not received formal training in philosophy or theology required for Catholic priesthood.

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Instead, police reportedly said he taught himself aspects of Catholic liturgy and Church procedures through religious books. Investigators allegedly recovered 17 books on Church doctrine, including materials relating to liturgy and the administration of sacraments.

Reports further indicate that Onchonga was a married man with two children living in Kisii, despite allegedly presenting himself as a Catholic priest.

His activities reportedly came under increased scrutiny after he celebrated Mass at St Mary’s Shrine in Lodaraja on August 9, 2026. Concerns about his conduct during the service allegedly prompted a photograph from the Mass to be circulated among priests and Church officials.

The Catholic Diocese of Lodwar subsequently issued a public warning distancing itself from Onchonga and making it clear that he was not an ordained priest of the Diocese.

In a statement signed by Bishop Mbinda and the diocesan chancellor, the Diocese reportedly warned priests, religious communities and members of the public against allowing Onchonga to perform priestly or other religious duties.

The Diocese also accused him of allegedly pretending to administer the sacraments, conducting unauthorised religious celebrations, usurping an ecclesiastical office and falsifying Church documents.

The allegations have now moved to the courts, with Onchonga facing a personation charge under Section 382 of Kenya’s Penal Code.

According to the charge sheet, he allegedly posed as a duly ordained Catholic priest between July 31 and August 12, 2026, in Turkana Central Sub-County.

He is accused of falsely presenting himself to Bishop Mbinda and officials of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar as a priest authorised to conduct Church meetings and administer the sacraments.

Onchonga appeared before Chief Magistrate Evanson Ngigi at the Lodwar Law Courts on August 14, where he initially pleaded guilty to the charge.

However, he later changed his plea to not guilty when he appeared before Resident Magistrate Michael Lokitam on August 17.

The court subsequently granted him a KSh100,000 bond with one surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of KSh50,000.

However, reports indicate that he remained in custody after failing to meet the bail conditions.

His case is scheduled for mention on August 31, 2026, while the hearing is expected to commence on October 13, 2026.

If convicted under the relevant provision of Kenya’s Penal Code, Onchonga could face a prison sentence of up to three years.

The allegations against him have not been finally determined by the court, and he remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Married father of two exposed after allegedly posing as Catholic priest in Kenya