Tinubu Urges ECOWAS to Condemn Afrophobic Attacks in South Africa

Tinubu Urges ECOWAS to Condemn Afrophobic Attacks in South Africa

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to present a united front against Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, urging the regional bloc to escalate the matter to the African Union and reminding South Africa of the sacrifices made by other African nations during its liberation struggle.

President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the appeal during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held on Sunday in Lungi, Sierra Leone. The summit, hosted by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, brought together regional leaders to deliberate on political, economic, and security issues affecting West Africa. The gathering provided a platform for leaders to address pressing concerns, including the rising wave of xenophobic violence targeting African migrants in South Africa, which has drawn widespread condemnation across the continent.

The President condemned, in the strongest terms, the recent attacks on Nigerian citizens and other Africans in the Republic of South Africa. “As already stated by His Excellency, the President of Ghana, ECOWAS should present a united voice in this condemnation,” Tinubu said through Vice President Shettima. He further urged the regional body to table the matter before the next session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, saying this would “send a clear message that this type of intolerance is totally unacceptable under any guise.” Tinubu reminded South Africa that the freedom it currently enjoys was the result of the sacrifices and liberation efforts of African countries, including Nigeria, which played a significant role in the anti-apartheid struggle. He disclosed that the Nigerian Government had already evacuated over 1,490 of its citizens from harm’s way in seven batches and was prepared to engage further on the matter. The evacuations, which began in June following the outbreak of violence, were completed with the arrival of 305 returnees in Lagos on July 15, bringing the total number of evacuees to 1,490. The attacks have strained diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, previously hinting that Nigeria could consider retaliatory measures.

READ ALSO:

Beyond the security concerns, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the principles enshrined in the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and other regional frameworks. He also assured that Nigeria remained committed to the setting up of the Counter Terrorism Force and the strengthening of the ECOWAS Standby Force “with a view to enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing, joint security operations, and preventive diplomacy to safeguard peace and stability across our region.” President Tinubu further warned against the temptation to tamper with constitutional term limits, stating that “the most effective tool against unconstitutional changes of government and mass protests that is capable of undermining good order is for us to enthrone good governance that delivers more tangible benefits to our citizens.” The President also declared Nigeria’s support for the newly developed ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a framework that would strengthen cooperation among member states. He said the compact reflects the region’s commitment to rebuilding public trust in institutions and ensuring that regional integration remains relevant despite emerging geopolitical challenges.

Earlier, President Julius Maada Bio and the Chairman of ECOWAS explained that the summit was organised to reflect on where ECOWAS has come from and where the community must go next. Bio stated that West Africa must enter a new era with confidence, strategic clarity, and stronger determination to shape its own destiny, noting that “dependency narrows the very freedom that challenging partnership is meant to strengthen.” The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, reiterated the resolve of the regional body to strengthen governance and accountability across institutions and deepen policy coordination among member states. He said the commission had reintroduced democratic governance and electoral support mechanisms while strengthening regional responses to security and humanitarian challenges.

A major highlight of the summit was the signing of the Inter-Governmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project by the authority. The pipeline, estimated to cost $25 billion, is designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Nigeria through 13 West African countries to Morocco, connecting to the European gas network. A dedicated ceremony will subsequently be held in Morocco, during which Morocco and Mauritania will jointly sign the agreement in the presence of Nigeria’s president. United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, also addressed the summit, stressing that the international body has an obligation to support the region in combating terrorism and all forms of crime against humanity. “The United Nations Security Council must clearly hear the voice of Africa and stand behind the solutions that Africa offers,” she said, underscoring the importance of African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges.