South Africa will dispatch envoys across Africa and other parts of the world following a wave of xenophobic attacks targeting immigrants, President Cyril Ramaphosa has said.
Ramaphosa announced the move on Thursday after holding talks with Kenyan President William Ruto in Pretoria, where the two leaders discussed migration and regional cooperation.
The South African leader said the envoys would engage governments and other key stakeholders to help address migration-related challenges and strengthen collaboration among countries.
“There will be envoys, yes, there will be people that we will send around not only on the continent but also around the world,” Ramaphosa told reporters at a joint press conference.
He said South Africa was seeking broader international cooperation to tackle migration issues in a coordinated manner.
“What we seek to do is to get the issue of migration properly addressed. We should get as many key role players, countries, to work together,” he said.
Ramaphosa said migration formed part of his discussions with Ruto, as concerns grow over attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
The president acknowledged the seriousness of the issue but rejected suggestions that xenophobia reflected the views of most South Africans.
“As South Africa, we are addressing this matter,” he said.
“And I explained that South Africans are not xenophobic. South Africans are Africans. They want to live with other Africans peacefully.”
The planned diplomatic outreach comes amid renewed scrutiny of South Africa’s treatment of migrants from other African countries, with incidents of anti-immigrant violence drawing criticism from across the continent.
Ramaphosa said his government remained committed to addressing tensions linked to migration while maintaining relations with neighbouring countries and African partners.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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