{
  "id": 1590461,
  "title": "South Africa asks regional summit for unity after anti-migrant backlash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/south-africa-asks-regional-summit-for-unity-after-anti-migrant",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T23:34:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/18/south-africa-asks-regional-summit-for-unity-after-anti-migrant-backlash"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged regional leaders to collaborate in addressing migration to South Africa following a backlash against foreign nationals that has forced thousands to flee the country. Weeks of protests led by populist groups demanding undocumented foreign nationals return home by June 30 resulted in over 176,000 people leaving in recent weeks, according to an AFP tally based on figures from affected African governments. Ramaphosa addressed the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Durban, South Africa, thanking neighboring countries for their understanding of the challenges faced by South Africa and expressing regret over the current situation. He emphasized the need for joint efforts to tackle the migration challenge. With a population of over 60 million, South Africa has traditionally attracted migrants but is grappling with an unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent and significant inequality. During the summit, about 300 anti-migrant protesters marched to the venue, demanding leaders retrieve the individuals residing illegally in South Africa. The group's leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, specifically mentioned Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe as countries of origin for the majority of the departing foreign nationals. Some migrants left voluntarily, while others were deported or repatriated through government schemes. Ramaphosa conveyed South Africa's deep concern and shame regarding the discrimination and ill-treatment of nationals from other countries in recent months, stating that at least four migrants were killed during the violence. The government's response to the protests and ensuing unrest has been criticized by other African nations, notably Ghana and Nigeria, which are not part of the SADC grouping. As the current chair of SADC, South Africa has called for a continent-wide conference to tackle the issue of migration.",
  "summary": "Weeks of protests by populist groups demanding undocumented foreign nationals go home by June 30 led more than 176,000 to leave in recent weeks.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Xenophobia: 83 more Nigerians to return from South Africa Wednesday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/xenophobia-83-more-nigerians-to-return-from-south-africa-wednesday",
        "published": "2026-08-17T19:52:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "South Africa asks regional summit for unity after anti-migrant backlash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/south-africa-asks-regional-summit-for-unity-after-anti-migrant-1594928",
        "published": "2026-08-17T23:34:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "South Africa calls for unity amid anti-migrant protests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/south-africa-calls-for-unity-amid-anti-migrant-protests",
        "published": "2026-08-18T00:17:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}