Ramaphosa apologizes for xenophobic attacks, calls for regional cooperation on migration
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern and shame over recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in his country, stating that such discrimination and violence undermine the values of the Southern African Development Community SADC. He made these remarks during a SADC summit public lecture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. Ramaphosa highlighted that these attacks, which led to a voluntary repatriation process for 72 Namibian citizens in July, are a cause for concern. He emphasized that the criminal actions of a few individuals contradict the spirit of solidarity upon which SADC is built, asserting that "We cannot preach inclusion at summits while practising exclusion in our streets." The President also noted that migration is a broader regional challenge that SADC must address collectively. He called for member states to work together to establish smoother protocols for free movement, address conditions driving migration such as conflict, instability, governance failure, poverty, and social discord, and create inclusive institutions where people move by choice, not desperation. Ramaphosa stressed that SADC cannot achieve its goals without peace and urged member states to collaborate in deterring security threats and maintaining regional peace and harmony.
