South Africa Seeks Continental Migration Talks Amid Regional Tensions

JOHANNESBURG- South Africa on Wednesday called for continent-wide discussions on migration as it sought to address growing diplomatic and political tensions following anti-immigration protests at home and a broader regional migration crisis highlighted by the recent mass crossing into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said the government wants African nations to examine the underlying drivers of irregular migration rather than focus solely on South Africa’s domestic challenges. His remarks came as the country continues to face criticism over protests demanding the deportation of undocumented migrants and reports of violence targeting foreign nationals.

South Africa has argued that migration pressures are a continental issue requiring a coordinated African response. Lamola said the proposed discussions would examine the “push-pull factors” that compel people to leave their home countries and seek opportunities elsewhere across the continent.

The issue is expected to feature prominently at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit later this month in Durban, where regional leaders are due to discuss migration and its implications. Countries including Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, which have recently repatriated some of their nationals from South Africa, are expected to attend.

Lamola said South Africa hopes the discussions will ultimately expand to include all members of the African Union. He added that the proposed dialogue would also consider migration pressures affecting other parts of Africa, including North Africa.

The African Union, which comprises 55 member states, last week rejected a proposal by Ghana to place South Africa’s migration tensions on the agenda of the bloc’s next coordination meeting in October. South Africa opposed the proposal, arguing that the issue should be addressed within the wider context of migration challenges across the continent rather than focusing on a single country.

Lamola said he had held consultations during the past two weeks with several African leaders and officials, including Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and a representative of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, as Pretoria sought support for a broader continental approach.

The government’s push comes amid mounting domestic pressure over immigration policy. Anti-illegal immigration groups, including the March and March movement, have organized protests calling for the removal of migrants who are in South Africa without legal documentation. The groups have pledged to continue demonstrating every Thursday, demanding faster deportations, stricter enforcement of immigration laws and tighter border security.

Some migrants have reported being assaulted during the protests, raising concerns over their safety and increasing scrutiny of South Africa’s handling of the unrest.

According to government figures, at least 68,000 people were repatriated from South Africa between June and July. The total includes individuals deported for lacking the required immigration documents or residing in the country illegally.

While authorities have not released a detailed breakdown of those repatriated and deported, the government said most were citizens of Malawi, followed by Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

South Africa’s Border Management Agency has also reduced the capacity of its temporary repatriation facility in Musina, near the Beitbridge border crossing with Zimbabwe, from 20,000 people to 1,500.

The latest developments come as migration has become an increasingly prominent political and humanitarian issue across Africa, with governments facing pressure to strengthen border management while addressing the economic, security and social factors driving cross-border movement.