Nigeria has condemned rising xenophobic attacks against Africans in other African countries, warning that discrimination threatens continental solidarity, integration and peaceful coexistence.
The Federal Government expressed the concern during the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a new political declaration aimed at combating racism and racial discrimination.
Speaking on behalf of Nigeria, Amb. Bola Asaju urged African governments to address growing hostility towards migrants and foreign nationals within their territories.
The Nigerian delegation stressed that economic hardship, unemployment and other social challenges could not justify violence, persecution or discrimination based on nationality.
It maintained that African countries could not credibly promote Pan-Africanism and continental integration while tolerating attacks against fellow Africans.
Asaju expressed particular concern over incidents of hostility and violence targeting Africans living outside their countries of origin, noting that such developments threatened the historical bonds of solidarity that underpinned the continent’s struggles against colonialism and racial oppression.
Nigeria said the sacrifices made during Africa’s liberation movements should inspire greater unity rather than division among African populations.
The country emphasized that governments had a responsibility to protect everyone within their territories, regardless of nationality or immigration status.
It also called for accountability for individuals and groups responsible for xenophobic violence, intimidation and discrimination.
Nigeria urged African governments to strengthen national legislation, deepen regional cooperation and intensify public education to discourage xenophobia.
The delegation further advocated measures to address underlying socioeconomic conditions that could be exploited to incite hostility against migrants and foreign nationals.
It warned against collective blame, particularly when foreign nationals were portrayed as responsible for domestic economic difficulties.
Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, an international framework adopted in South Africa in 2001 to combat racism.
Asaju said Nigeria supported the latest political declaration and voted in favor of its adoption.
The General Assembly adopted the declaration by 95 votes in favor, five against and 37 abstentions.
The declaration marks the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, renewing international commitments to eliminating racial discrimination.
It acknowledges the enduring consequences of slavery, the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism and apartheid, while calling for stronger measures to address contemporary forms of discrimination.
The declaration also addresses racial profiling, hate speech, unequal access to justice and discriminatory practices associated with emerging digital technologies.
Nigeria stressed that international commitments against racism must translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives rather than remain declarations of political intent.
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It urged governments to demonstrate stronger political will in tackling racism and xenophobia, including discriminatory practices within their own societies.
The country maintained that protecting human dignity and strengthening solidarity among Africans remained essential to achieving the continent’s integration and development goals.
South Africa supported the declaration, while the European Union expressed reservations about certain provisions concerning neocolonialism and reparatory justice.
