South Africa to deploy envoys across Africa, globally following xenophobic attacks

SOUTH Africa is preparing to send diplomatic envoys to countries across Africa and other regions of the world in response to recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the initiative is aimed at strengthening international cooperation on migration challenges.

The announcement was made on Thursday after President Ramaphosa met with Kenyan President William Ruto in Pretoria. The two leaders held discussions focused on migration issues and broader regional collaboration within Africa.

According to Ramaphosa, the planned envoys will engage with governments and other key stakeholders globally to help address migration-related tensions and improve coordinated responses between 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,” he told journalists during a joint press briefing.

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He added that South Africa is seeking deeper international engagement to manage migration in a more structured and cooperative way.

“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.

Migration and the recent incidents involving attacks on foreign nationals formed part of his talks with President Ruto, as concern grows over the safety of immigrants in South Africa.

Ramaphosa also rejected the idea that xenophobia represents the mindset of the broader South African population, while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.

“As South Africa, we are addressing this matter,” he said, adding: “South Africans are not xenophobic. South Africans are Africans. They want to live with other Africans peacefully.”

The diplomatic outreach comes as South Africa faces renewed continental and international attention over violence targeting migrants, with several African countries expressing concern.

The president reiterated that his administration remains committed to easing tensions linked to migration while maintaining strong diplomatic relations with African neighbours and partners across the world.

Meanwhile, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, warning against retaliatory measures targeting South African businesses operating in Nigeria.

Wider condemnation of South Africa’s xenophobia

In a statement signed by CPPE’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muda Yusuf, the organisation described the attacks as troubling, noting that many Nigerian migrants were reportedly among the victims. The organisation said the violence contradicts the ideals of African solidarity and pan-African cooperation.

READ ALSO: CPPE warns against retaliation over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

According to the CPPE, the attacks are largely driven by worsening economic and social conditions in South Africa, including rising unemployment, poverty, inequality, youth frustration, weak public service delivery, and governance challenges.

The economic policy advocacy group noted that many perpetrators wrongly direct their frustrations at African migrants, especially those perceived to be economically successful in retail trade, informal businesses, and service-related activities.

CPPE said Nigerians appear particularly vulnerable because of their strong entrepreneurial presence in South Africa’s informal economy.

“Nigerian traders, professionals, and service providers are generally resilient, competitive, and economically active. Unfortunately, this has created resentment among some locals who wrongly believe that migrants are taking over economic opportunities and jobs,” the statement said.

The organisation also faulted weaknesses in policing, intelligence gathering, and law enforcement in South Africa, stressing that the South African government has a responsibility to protect all residents, including Nigerians and other African migrants.

It called for stronger policing, improved intelligence operations, prompt prosecution of offenders, and clear political messaging against anti-migrant rhetoric to prevent future attacks.

Similarly, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, recently expressed grave concern over recent reports of xenophobic violence, intimidation, harassment, and vigilante conduct targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, including refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and other non-nationals.

“The Centre is particularly alarmed by recent developments in Durban, where scores of foreign nationals, including women and children, have reportedly sought refuge at the Diakonia Centre after fleeing threats, intimidation, and violence in their communities. Reports that vulnerable individuals have been forced to seek temporary shelter while fearing for their safety raise serious concerns about their dignity, security, and access to effective state protection. No person should be forced to flee their home or seek refuge out of fear because of their nationality, language, or perceived immigration status.

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“South Africa’s constitutional democracy is founded on the values of human dignity, equality, freedom, and the rule of law. Acts of violence, threats, intimidation, and harassment directed at individuals on the basis of nationality, language, appearance, or perceived immigration status are a direct assault on these values and undermine the constitutional and human rights framework that South Africa has committed itself to uphold.”

Also, the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE) also recently condemned the renewed wave of xenophobic violence targeting African nationals in the Republic of South Africa.

WACCE noted that the current attacks are part of a long-standing pattern of xenophobic violence in South Africa spanning nearly three decades.

“These are elements of violent extremism in which individuals are using economic grievances as a cover for ethnic persecution,” WACCE stated.