Tinubu Urges ECOWAS to Confront South Africa Over Attacks on Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has called on leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to collectively confront the recurring attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, warning that silence could embolden intolerance across the continent.

The President made the appeal through Vice President Kashim Shettima during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held on Sunday in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The position was contained in a statement shared on the official social media platform of the Vice President.

Tinubu’s intervention follows renewed incidents of violence targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, attacks that have repeatedly strained diplomatic relations between both countries and prompted several evacuation exercises by the Nigerian government over the years.

According to the statement, the President said African leaders must speak with one voice in condemning xenophobic attacks, stressing that such actions threaten the ideals of African unity and regional integration.

“Nigeria condemns, in the strongest terms, the recent attacks on its 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 and table the matter before the next session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the African Union,” Tinubu said through Shettima.

The President disclosed that the Federal Government had already evacuated more than 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in seven separate batches following previous attacks and remains prepared to take further action to safeguard its citizens if necessary.

He assured Nigerians that the government would continue to engage diplomatically with South African authorities while taking all appropriate measures to protect the welfare and security of Nigerians living abroad.

Beyond the security concerns, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, endorsing the newly developed ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration.

He described the framework as a strategic roadmap designed to deepen cooperation among member states, strengthen regional institutions and restore public confidence in ECOWAS.

According to the President, the compact demonstrates the region’s determination to adapt to emerging geopolitical realities while advancing economic integration, peace and sustainable development across West Africa.

He urged member states to remain united in addressing common challenges, insisting that regional solidarity remains essential to protecting the interests of African citizens and preserving the vision of a prosperous and peaceful continent.