African leaders launch pushback against South Africa's anti-migrant narrative
Senior African political leaders, diplomats, lawyers, and researchers have launched a coordinated pushback against South Africa's increasingly hardline migration narrative, arguing that migrants are being scapegoated for governance failures while coordinated online disinformation is inflaming anti-foreigner sentiment.
South Africa is considering new rules and increased transparency for former heads of state who embark on foreign trips, following a controversial visit by ex-President Jacob Zuma to India. Zuma met businessman Ajay Gupta, one of the key figures in a corruption scandal that contributed to his downfall. This meeting sparked outrage, with one minister comparing Zuma's actions to showing the "middle finger" to South Africa.
The Gupta family was accused of profiting from their close ties to Zuma and influencing South African policy around a decade ago. Ultimately, a judicial commission concluded that Zuma had hired and fired ministers at the request of the Gupta family. Zuma has since been removed from the African National Congress and heads the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe.
During his Indian visit, photos were taken with Gupta and South Africa's high commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, who has since been recalled. Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola has submitted a recommendation to parliament for new protocols for former heads of state, requiring them to provide full details of upcoming trips to assess reputational, political, diplomatic, or security risks.
This is not the first time Zuma's foreign trips have caused controversy, as he visited Morocco last year in support of its claim over Western Sahara, a position South Africa opposes.
Written by urgent.news from BBC World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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