Vice President Kashim Shettima has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, calling on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to present the matter before the African Union (AU) to send a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated.

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 "Afrophobic" and urged ECOWAS member states to adopt a united stance against the violence.

"On Afrophobia, Nigeria condemns in strong terms the recent Afrophobic attack on its citizens and other fellow Africans in the Republic of South Africa.

"As already mentioned by His Excellency, the President of Ghana, ECOWAS should present this matter before the next meeting of the Authority of the African Union to send a clear message that this type of behaviour is unacceptable," Shettima said.

He reminded South Africa of the sacrifices made by African countries, particularly Nigeria, during the anti-apartheid struggle, stressing that the country's freedom was achieved through the collective support of the continent.

"South Africa should be reminded that the freedom the country currently enjoys is due to the liberation efforts of African countries such as Nigeria," he added.

The Vice President disclosed that the Federal Government had already evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in seven batches following the attacks and expressed Nigeria's readiness to continue diplomatic engagement to protect its citizens and prevent a recurrence.

Beyond the xenophobia issue, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to the ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a blueprint for strengthening regional unity, constitutional governance, peace, security and economic integration.

He urged member states, development partners, civil society, women and youths to support the implementation of the compact in building a more resilient and people-centred West Africa.

At the close of the summit, Senegal's President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was elected Chairman of ECOWAS, succeeding Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio, while Biram Diop was appointed the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, replacing Dr Omar Alieu Touray.