Vice President Kashim Shettima has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, calling on the Economic Community of West African States to escalate the matter to the African Union.
Shettima made the appeal on Sunday while representing President Bola Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the Summit of the Future in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
According to a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Vice President described the attacks as “Afrophobia” and urged regional leaders to take a united stand against such acts.
“Nigeria strongly condemns the recent Afrophobic attacks on its citizens and other Africans in the Republic of South Africa. As already suggested by the President of Ghana, ECOWAS should present this matter before the next meeting of the African Union Authority to send a clear message that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable,” Shettima said.
He reminded South Africa of the support it received from several African countries during its struggle against apartheid, noting that Nigeria played a significant role in the country’s liberation.
“South Africa should remember that the freedom it enjoys today was achieved with the support and sacrifices of African countries, including Nigeria,” he stated.
The Vice President disclosed that the Federal Government had evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in seven separate batches following the attacks and reaffirmed its readiness to continue diplomatic engagement on the issue.
“The Nigerian government has evacuated 1,490 of its citizens in seven batches and remains prepared to engage further on this matter,” he added.
Shettima also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a strategic framework for promoting a stronger, more resilient and people-centred West Africa.
He stressed that peace, democratic governance and respect for constitutional order remain essential for sustainable development across the region.
“Nigeria supports the Compact’s commitment to constitutional governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government,” he said.
The Vice President called on ECOWAS member states, regional institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, women and youth groups to support the implementation of the Compact.
“The Compact provides a roadmap for strengthening regional unity, rebuilding public confidence and creating a more resilient ECOWAS capable of addressing present and future challenges,” Shettima noted.
Meanwhile, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected Chairman of ECOWAS, succeeding Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio at the conclusion of the summit.
Regional leaders also appointed Biram Diop as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, replacing Dr Omar Alieu Touray.
The summit focused on advancing regional integration, strengthening cooperation among member states, promoting peace and security, deepening economic integration, and addressing emerging challenges facing West Africa.
