Shettima Urges AU Action Against Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa
Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has called for collective action by African leaders to address recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa.
Shettima made the call while presenting Nigeria’s position at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU).
Representing the Federal Government, the Vice President warned that the recurring attacks threaten the principles of African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.
He urged the continent’s leaders to take decisive and collective steps to prevent further attacks and strengthen the protection of Africans living and working across the continent.
Shettima also addressed the wider security challenges confronting Africa, expressing Nigeria’s support for the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical framework for strengthening conflict prevention.
According to him, greater emphasis should be placed on preventing conflicts before they escalate, rather than waiting until violence erupts before responding.
He maintained that conflict prevention remains cheaper, more sustainable and more effective than managing the consequences of conflicts after they have broken out.
The Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with other African countries towards strengthening peace, unity, security and peaceful coexistence across the continent.
