Ramaphosa Urges African Unity Amid Rising Xenophobic Attacks

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for collective African action to address the root causes of migration during the Pan-African Parliament session in Johannesburg on July 27, 2026. Ramaphosa urged leaders to tackle poverty, conflict, and poor governance to ensure citizens move by choice rather than necessity, while emphasizing a response that combines firm immigration management with the defense of human dignity.

The president's call for unity coincided with high diplomatic tensions. In Abuja, Nigerian and South African diplomats met to address a surge in xenophobic violence. Nigerian officials, acting under orders from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, denounced the South African government's perceived complicity in mob violence. Nigerian reports state that at least 98 of their citizens have been killed in such attacks since 2022, and approximately 1,500 Nigerians have recently been evacuated.

South African Minister Ronald Lamola defended the administration, stating the government opposes intolerance but maintains the right to deal decisively with irregular migration and criminality. While South African police acknowledge four foreign national deaths, other African governments report a significantly higher toll, contributing to an estimated 160,000 people fleeing South Africa overall.