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President Bola Tinubu described xenophobic attacks against citizens of other African countries in South Africa as “unacceptable” while addressing the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
Tinubu then called on the regional body to take the issue from the regional bloc to the continental body, the African Union (AU).
Nigeria and Ghana, two key ECOWAS members, are among the countries worst hit by attacks on fellow Africans by mobs in South Africa, while Cyril Ramaphosa’s government is also concerned.
Nigeria, like other countries whose citizens living in South Africa were attacked, its citizens were killed, maimed or lost their livelihoods through the looting of their shops, and then many of them were evacuated.
Citizens of South Africa’s neighboring countries – including Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Botswana – were also not spared from the mob’s fury.
Tinubu, who was represented at the summit by Vice President Kashim Shettima told the leaders that xenophobia was condemned.
“Nigeria strongly condemns the recent Afrophobic attacks on its citizens and other African citizens in the Republic of South Africa.
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“As His Excellency the President of Ghana has mentioned, ECOWAS must raise this issue before the next meeting of the African Union Authorities to send a clear message that this type of behavior is unacceptable.
“South Africa must be reminded that the freedom its country enjoys today is thanks to the liberation efforts of African countries like Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government has evacuated fourteen hundred and ninety of its citizens in seven waves and is ready to address the issue,” the President said in a speech delivered by Shettima.
Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the newly developed ECOWAS Agreement for the Future of Regional Integration, and described it as an important roadmap for strengthening regional solidarity, economic integration, democratic governance and sustainable development across West Africa.
He said Nigeria remained fully committed to implementing the Agreement, and noted that the agreement was in line with the aspirations of ECOWAS Vision 2050 while expanding the bloc’s collective outlook to 2075.
“As the largest economy and one of the founding members of the Regional Economic Community, Nigeria remains steadfast in its historic responsibility to continue to promote regional unity, peace, economic integration and democratic governance,” Tinubu said.
The President assured other leaders that Nigeria will continue to work with member countries and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the Agreement and achievement of its six strategic pillars.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to removing trade barriers, improving cross-border infrastructure and facilitating the free movement of people, goods and services to create a more favorable environment for businesses and investors across West Africa.
