President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally reported South Africa to the African Union over recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals [1, 2].
The move signals a diplomatic escalation between two of Africa's largest economies. It highlights growing tensions over the safety of migrant populations and the perceived failure of regional security frameworks to prevent targeted violence.
Tinubu raised these concerns during diplomatic exchanges and at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [3, 4]. The Nigerian president urged the union to address the crisis as a matter of urgency. "We demand that xenophobia be placed on the 2027 AU summit agenda," Tinubu said [5].
Reports of attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa have prompted Nigeria to seek formal intervention [1, 2]. The Nigerian government expressed concern that these incidents threaten both the safety of its citizens, and the broader goal of African unity [1, 2].
South African officials have pushed back against these assertions. South African Consul-General Prof Bobby Moroe dismissed reports that Tinubu snubbed a South African delegation [6]. Moroe said Nigerians that South Africa remains safe for tourists and denied the existence of xenophobia [6].
The diplomatic friction has sparked strong reactions within Nigeria. On Aug. 11, former presidential spokesperson Onoh criticized the situation, saying, "Keep your South Africa; we’ll keep our Nigeria" [7].
While the Nigerian leadership seeks a multilateral solution through the AU, the conflicting narratives between Abuja and Pretoria suggest a widening gap in how both nations perceive the security of foreign nationals on South African soil [1, 6].
“"We demand that xenophobia be placed on the 2027 AU summit agenda"”
This diplomatic clash reflects a deeper tension between national sovereignty and the African Union's mandate to foster continental integration. By pushing for a formal agenda item in 2027, Nigeria is attempting to institutionalize the monitoring of xenophobia, moving the issue from bilateral complaints to a multilateral human rights concern. The denial from South African officials suggests that the two nations remain far apart on the definition and scale of the crisis, which could hinder regional cooperation on trade and security.
