South Africa has urged African nations to hold continent-wide discussions on migration as the country deals with anti-immigration protests and growing diplomatic tensions with neighbouring states. The proposed South Africa migration talks aim to address the root causes of irregular migration instead of focusing on one country alone.
The government believes African leaders should develop a shared strategy to manage migration while improving economic opportunities across the continent. Officials say long-term cooperation offers a better solution than isolated national policies.
South Africa Migration Talks Seek Regional Solutions
Last week, Ghana asked the African Union to place South Africa’s migration tensions on the agenda for its October coordination meeting. The African Union rejected the request.
South African officials opposed the proposal because they believed it focused only on their country instead of recognising migration challenges across Africa.
Pretoria now wants the African Union to organise broader South Africa migration talks that examine migration routes, border management, economic development and regional cooperation.
SADC Leaders Will Discuss Migration
Leaders will discuss migration at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Durban later this month.
Representatives from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique will attend the meeting. These countries have recently received thousands of returning nationals from South Africa.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said African governments should work together to address the “push and pull” factors driving irregular migration.
He also noted that migration challenges affect several regions, including North Africa and the Mediterranean routes.
Government Promotes Long-Term Cooperation
Lamola recently met Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and representatives of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to discuss regional cooperation.
He said African countries should improve legal migration systems, strengthen border management and invest in economic development to reduce irregular migration.
The government also pointed to the recent migrant tragedy near Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta as evidence that migration has become a continental challenge.
Weekly Protests Continue
Several South African groups continue holding weekly demonstrations demanding stronger immigration enforcement.
The protesters want authorities to deport undocumented migrants more quickly, tighten border security and enforce immigration laws more effectively.
Some migrant communities have also reported violent attacks during the protests, raising concerns among human rights organisations.
Thousands Return Home
Government officials reported that about 68,000 people returned to neighbouring countries between June and July.
Malawi accounted for most of the returning migrants, followed by Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
South Africa’s Border Management Agency also reduced the capacity of its temporary repatriation centre near the Beitbridge border crossing with Zimbabwe from 20,000 people to 1,500.
African leaders are expected to keep the proposed South Africa migration talks high on the regional agenda as they search for lasting solutions to irregular migration and cross-border security.
