Ramaphosa Calls for Regional Action on Migration

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged Southern African countries to work together on irregular migration after a wave of anti-immigrant protests forced more than 176,000 foreign nationals to leave South Africa in recent weeks. Speaking at the close of a SADC summit in Durban, Ramaphosa expressed regret over the unrest, which included at least four migrant deaths, and called for coordinated regional solutions. Citizens of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe accounted for many of those who departed through voluntary departures, deportations, and government-assisted repatriations. South Africa faces persistent unemployment above 30% and severe inequality, conditions that have intensified tensions surrounding migration. Ramaphosa has previously expressed shame over the mistreatment of foreign nationals. He has also proposed a continent-wide conference on migration, though South Africa’s handling of the crisis has drawn criticism from Ghana and Nigeria.