Nigeria has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to take the issue of xenophobic attacks in South Africa before the African Union, saying the continent must send a clear message that such acts are unacceptable.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 69th ECOWAS Summit in Sierra Leone, President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks on Nigerians and other Africans, noting that Nigeria had evacuated 1,490 citizens from South Africa in seven batches.
Tinubu said South Africa should remember the role African countries, including Nigeria, played in its liberation struggle and called for a united continental response against xenophobia.
The President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a roadmap for strengthening regional cooperation, economic integration, democratic governance and sustainable development.
He urged member states to remove trade barriers, improve cross-border infrastructure and promote the free movement of people, goods and services to boost investment and economic growth across West Africa.
On governance, Tinubu warned against constitutional amendments aimed at extending presidential tenures, saying good governance and respect for constitutional limits are essential to preventing instability and unconstitutional changes of government.
He also reiterated Nigeria’s support for the proposed ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force, stronger regional security cooperation and continued dialogue with the Alliance of Sahel States to preserve unity within the West African bloc.
