Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Sunday called for a unified African response to condemn xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying such intolerance is “totally unacceptable.”
Speaking 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 South Africa should be reminded that its freedom was secured through the sacrifices of African countries, including Nigeria.
“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.
He urged ECOWAS to table the issue at the next African Union summit to “send a clear message that this type of intolerance is totally unacceptable under any guise.”
The Nigerian government said it has already evacuated 1,490 citizens from South Africa in seven batches and remains prepared to do more.
Tinubu also threw Nigeria’s weight behind the newly adopted ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a framework to rebuild trust between citizens and institutions and strengthen the region’s resilience amid shifting global dynamics.
He called for stronger action on insecurity and unconstitutional changes of government in West Africa, and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
The President backed plans for a regional Counter Terrorism Force and the strengthening of the ECOWAS Standby Force to enhance intelligence sharing and joint operations.
He also cited trade, infrastructure, and a proposed Digital Single Market as key to economic growth and job creation for the region’s 400 million people.
Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, ECOWAS Chairman, said the meeting was convened to take stock of the bloc’s progress and align on Vision 2050 for a peaceful and integrated West Africa. He noted challenges including climate shocks and global disruptions to food, fuel and fertilizer supplies.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed pledged UN support for ECOWAS efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel, saying the Security Council “must clearly hear the voice of Africa.”
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray said the bloc would deepen governance reforms and policy coordination.
The meeting concluded with the signing of an Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project.