President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a continental coordinated response to the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, urging the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to bring the matter before the African Union (AU).
The President made the appeal at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, where he was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reports say.
Tinubu told regional leaders that he condemned what he called “Afrophobic” attacks on Nigerians and other Africans living in South Africa.
“Nigeria condemns in the strongest terms the recent Afrophobic attack on its citizens and other fellow Africans in the Republic of South Africa.
“As already mentioned by His Excellency, the President of Ghana, ECOWAS should bring this issue before the next meeting of the Authority of the African Union to send a clear message that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable,” he said.
The President also reminded South Africa of the support it received from other African countries in its struggle to end apartheid.
He further stated: “We should remind South Africa that the freedom it is enjoying today is because of the liberation efforts of African countries like Nigeria.
Nigerian Government had evacuated 1,490 citizens from South Africa in 7 batches and was still ready to engage further on the issue, Tinubu said.
The President’s position came days after the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, suggested that Nigeria could consider retaliatory action over the attacks.
She also said that the National Assembly would make recommendations on the matter.
The Senate and House of Representatives have already condemned the attacks against African nationals and are reviewing the situation.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, also recently urged the Federal Government to sue South Africa at the African Court.
On the issue of xenophobia, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the newly adopted ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a strategic roadmap for promoting regional unity, economic cooperation, democratic governance and sustainable development.
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He said: “Being the largest economy and one of the key founding members of our Regional Economic Community, Nigeria remains committed to its historic responsibility to continue to promote regional unity, peace, economic integration and democratic governance.
He assured member states that Nigeria will continue to work with regional partners to implement the compact and achieve its strategic goals.
The President also restated Nigeria’s commitment to removing obstacles to trade, enhancing cross-border infrastructure and ensuring the free movement of people, goods and services across West Africa.
On democratic governance, Tinubu said insecurity and political instability were still major hindrances to development across the sub-region.
He restated Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights and opposition to unconstitutional changes of government.
But he warned that bad governance and manipulation of constitutional provisions could just as well lead to political instability.
“More than adventurism, the best weapon to use against unconstitutional changes of government and mass protests that threaten to upset the public order is for us to enthrone good governance that will afford our people more tangible benefits.
“We must also resist the temptation to tamper with constitutional term limits or to exploit constitutional processes,” he said.
Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the proposed ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force and efforts to strengthen the ECOWAS Standby Force through improved intelligence sharing, joint military operations and preventive diplomacy.
He further pledged Nigeria’s commitment to advancing gender equality, broadening opportunities for women leaders, investing in education and skills development, championing youth entrepreneurship and empowering youth across the region.
On relations with the Alliance of Sahel States, the President stressed the importance of dialogue and sustained engagement to maintain regional unity and to strengthen ECOWAS.
President Julius Maada Bio, who is hosting the summit, said it was an opportunity for leaders to take stock of the bloc’s achievements and plot a new course for West Africa.
ECOWAS Vision 2050 is a roadmap for building a peaceful, prosperous and integrated region anchored on democratic governance and driven by innovation, he said.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said the commission has strengthened democratic governance, electoral assistance, regional security cooperation and humanitarian interventions.
He also highlighted progress on major regional infrastructure projects such as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Project, stating that they are critical to West Africa’s long-term economic integration and development.