By Oluwakemi Kindness
President Bola Tinubu has called on African countries to speak with one voice in condemning the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
He made the call in a statement signed on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, after Vice President Kashim Shettima represented the President at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Tinubu said a united continental response would send a clear message that such intolerance is unacceptable in any form.
He disclosed that Nigeria has already evacuated more than 1,490 of its citizens from South Africa in seven batches and remained prepared to take further action if necessary.
The President urged ECOWAS to present the matter at the next African Union summit, saying South Africa should be reminded that the freedom it enjoys today was made possible through the sacrifices of African countries, including Nigeria.
Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the newly adopted ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a roadmap for strengthening regional unity, democratic governance, peace and economic cooperation.
He said Nigeria would continue working with member states to implement the Compact’s six strategic pillars, including constitutional governance, security, economic integration, digital transformation and youth empowerment.
On regional security, Tinubu pledged Nigeria’s commitment to the proposed ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force and the strengthening of the ECOWAS Standby Force to improve intelligence sharing, joint security operations and preventive diplomacy.
He also backed efforts to remove trade barriers, improve cross-border infrastructure and facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services to boost trade and investment across West Africa.
