South Africa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is stepping up diplomatic efforts to address growing concerns across the continent regarding rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the country, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday (5).
According to Reuters, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said on Tuesday that he had held talks with his counterparts in Nigeria and Ghana after authorities in both countries announced they had summoned South African diplomatic representatives due to attacks against their citizens.
The incident comes at a time when some Nigerian senators have called on the government to revoke the license of MTN Nigeria Communications, Nigeria’s largest telecommunications operator and a major subsidiary of the MTN Group, as a form of retaliation for the xenophobic attacks.
“The Senate should consider adopting a position to nationalize MTN and revoke its license,” said Adams Oshiomhole, a senator and former governor of Edo State, on Tuesday, accusing the South African company of repatriating millions of dollars in profits daily.
Lawmakers ultimately did not adopt the proposal, however, opting instead to create a temporary committee to engage in dialogue with their South African counterparts.
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had scheduled a meeting with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo for later on Tuesday to discuss the issue.
In recent weeks, anti-immigrant protests in South Africa have reignited concerns about xenophobic violence in the country, where migrants are targeted in a climate of high unemployment and overburdened basic services.
In 2008, about 60 people died and 50,000 were displaced in a wave of anti-immigrant attacks.
Last week, a movement known as March and March organized protests against illegal immigration in the capital, Pretoria, and in downtown Johannesburg.
“We condemn any violence associated with these marches,” Ronald Lamola told reporters in Pretoria on Tuesday, adding that “it is not typical of South Africa to commit violence in the name of law enforcement. “In fact, this is mob justice; it is vigilantism.”
The protests come at a delicate time for South Africa, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), placing additional pressure on the government to demonstrate stability and leadership in the region.
Last week, the United Nations condemned the xenophobic attacks, as well as the harassment and intimidation of foreign nationals in South Africa. Secretary-General António Guterres called for calm and urged the authorities to protect all residents, regardless of their nationality, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.
Risks of economic consequences.
The South African Cross-Border Road Transport Agency warned on Monday of the possibility of counter-protests in Mozambique, which could affect traffic between the two countries and operations at the Lebombo and Kosi Bay border crossings.
“Reports indicate that these imminent protests may restrict the free movement of South Africans and vehicles registered in South Africa in Mozambique, as a retaliatory measure following protests that recently took place in various parts of South Africa,” it stated in a press release published on X.
Mineral Exports
Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, is a major export hub for South African chromium producers and is also used for some exports of coal, as well as magnetite—a form of iron ore.
The Lebombo Corridor handles nearly 1,500 heavy goods vehicles per day, according to data from Business Unity South Africa. An average of 1,000 trucks arrive daily at the Port of Maputo from across the border, according to the company that operates the port.
South Africa is the continent’s largest economy, and although its 31.4% unemployment rate is among the highest globally, it continues to offer stronger economic prospects, more comprehensive social services, and more developed infrastructure than many of its neighbors.
The country is seeking a more coordinated approach to migration management across the continent, according to Lamola. “It is very important that South Africa finds a lasting solution to the issue of irregular migration, but also that our counterparts across the continent share this responsibility with us,” the official emphasized.
South Africa’s census revealed that the country, with a population of 62 million, has about 2.4 million immigrants. There are about two million undocumented migrants in the country, according to the Institute for Security Studies, based in Pretoria.
