South Africa asks regional summit for unity after anti-migrant backlash

President Cyril Ramaphosa urged regional leaders to collaborate in addressing migration to South Africa, following a backlash against foreign nationals that prompted thousands to flee. Protests by populist groups demanding undocumented foreign nationals return home by June 30 led to over 176,000 leaving in recent weeks, according to an AFP tally.

Ramaphosa briefed a summit of the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) about the migration challenge during his address in Durban. South Africa thanked its regional partners for understanding the challenges they face and expressed regret over the situation. The country, known for attracting migrants but grappling with high unemployment and inequality, called for collective action to tackle migration.

Anti-migrant protesters marched to the summit venue, demanding leaders retrieve their people, with some citizens deported or repatriated. Ramaphosa condemned discrimination and ill-treatment of migrants, acknowledging at least four deaths during the violence. South Africa, currently chairing the SADC, has called for an Africa-wide conference to address migration.