Ramaphosa seeks regional action on migration

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for regional leaders to work together on migration challenges, after weeks of anti-immigrant protests forced thousands of foreign nationals to leave the country.

Ramaphosa addressed the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Durban, where South Africa briefed the 16-member bloc about the “challenge of migration”.

“We thanked countries in our region for their understanding of the challenges that we faced and, in some respects, continue to face,” Ramaphosa said. “We also expressed regret at what has befallen us as a country. We expressed a wish that we should all work together to address the challenge of migration.”

At least four migrants were killed during the violence, according to South African police. Weeks of protests by groups demanding undocumented foreign nationals leave resulted in more than 176,000 people departing in recent weeks, according to an AFP tally.

About 300 anti-migrant protesters marched to the summit venue earlier on Monday, demanding leaders “fetch their people”. Marchers were kept at a distance by police, with a helicopter and drones overhead.

South Africa took over the rotating chairmanship of SADC at the summit and has called for an Africa-wide conference to address migration. The government’s handling of the protests has been criticised by Ghana and Nigeria.

South Africa, the continent’s wealthiest nation, has long been a draw for migrants but is battling an unemployment rate above 30 percent and massive inequality.

SOURCE: AFP