President Tinubu, Rallies African Leaders Against Xenophobic Attacks, Other Divisive Tendencies

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

President Bola Tinubu has underscored the urgent need for African leaders to forge a united front against the persistent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other nationals from the Continent resident in South Africa.

The Source reports that the President’s call is coming on the heels of the recent repatriation of thousands of Nigerians, and other African nationals following weeks and months of sustained attacks on alleged illegal immigrants by South Africans.

The recent episode, however, climaxed years of recurring violent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, Ghanaians, and other African nationals in the former Apartheid enclave.

The Nigerian authorities have been forced to repatriate over 1400 of their  displaced citizens from South Africa in the last couple of weeks.

President Tinubu who spoke during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone, warned that the continued silence by African leaders in the face of the unprovoked attacks on nationals of African countries in South Africa could, in the long run, undermine, weaken, and even erode the long held vision of a united and prosperous Africa.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Nigerian leader emphasized that the future of the African continent does not rest  only on  economic and political cooperation, but also is dependent on the willingness of its leaders to protect the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of Africans, wherever they may be residing

While condemning the persistent hostility against nationals of other African countries by South Africans, President Tinubu expressed serious concern that such unsavoury situation, if not urgently checked, will, in the long run, threaten progress and development on the African continent.

According to him, persistent xenophobic attacks targeting fellow Africans only serve to sow seeds of disunity, weaken spirit of cooperation and undermine progress.

President Tinubu insisted that African leaders are under obligation to outrightly reject all forms of divisive tendencies, particularly xenophobic rhetorics and attacks, discrimination, and violent dispositions against fellow Africans, subscribing instead to the higher and uniting ideals of peaceful coexistence among citizens of the continent.

The Nigerian President noted that Africans have long been known for subscribing to, and promoting communal harmony, integration and shared prosperity through regional cooperation and continental bodies, insisting that xenophobic attacks and other hostile dispositions tend to undermine the established vision.

This is as he urged Africans to always see themselves as development partners rather than rivals, and noted that there are huge mutual benefits derivable from partnership, including sustainable economic growth, improved trading activities, increased investment opportunities and unity of purpose.

The President expressed fears that continued silence in the face of recurring violent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African countries has the dangerous potential of emboldening perpetrators, as well as threatening continental and regional cooperation , peace and stability .

He emphasized the imperative of leaders demonstrating the commitment towards condemning and discouraging divisive rhetorics and actions..

The Nigerian leader  reaffirmed his administration’s  commitment towards protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian citizens wherever they may be residing.

While emphasizing the critical roles of immigrants to the growth and development of countries, President Tinubu noted that citizens of other African countries also deserve protection under the law.

Despite the present challenges, president Tinubu expressed the optimism that the continent will emerge from the xenophobic attacks stronger through cooperation, responsible leadership ,and unwavering commitment to the values of unity and human dignity.

According to him ,the future of Africa and its people depends on solidarity, cooperation, and collective vision and actions, rather than division, hostility and silence.