South Africa calls for regional summit to tackle immigration issues

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on leaders from Southern Africa to convene for a summit to discuss immigration issues in the region. This request comes in the context of a recent wave of protests fueled by populist groups demanding the expulsion of undocumented foreign nationals by a deadline of June 30.

According to reports, over 176,000 individuals have left the country in recent weeks in response to this social pressure. The anti-immigration demonstrations have created an atmosphere of insecurity and tension within communities, leading to an increase in the departure of immigrants.

The proposed summit seeks to foster unity among the countries in the region, collectively confronting the challenges posed by immigration, which have been a source of discord and discontent. Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing these issues.

These protests occurred on the sidelines of a regional summit in Durban, in eastern South Africa, where migration issues were already on the agenda. The call for unity reflects the urgent need for a joint approach to the crisis affecting the region's stability.