South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained engagement with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, following concerns raised by the regional bloc over growing anti immigration sentiment within the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, DIRCO, said it remains committed to maintaining constructive dialogue with ECOWAS on migration governance, regional stability and broader continental cooperation. The response follows the communiqué released after the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which expressed concern about recent tensions surrounding migration in South Africa.
DIRCO described ECOWAS as an important institution in advancing African integration and said cooperation between African regional organisations remains essential in addressing increasingly complex cross border challenges. The department reiterated South Africa’s support for collaborative approaches rooted in dialogue and shared responsibility.
The department stated that South Africa continues to reject xenophobia, racism, homophobia, intolerance and all forms of discrimination. It further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that acts of violence and other criminal offences are investigated through the country’s legal system and that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.
The statement also sought to place current migration debates within a broader regional context. While acknowledging ongoing bilateral discussions with countries including Ghana and Nigeria, DIRCO noted that the majority of South Africa’s migration movements originate from member states of the Southern African Development Community, reflecting established patterns of regional labour mobility and economic integration across Southern Africa.
Speaking on the wider continental implications of migration, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola called for migration to become a standing agenda item within the African Union. He argued that addressing migration requires greater attention to its underlying structural drivers, including governance, economic opportunity, democratic development and regional stability.
According to Lamola, strengthening continental dialogue on the factors influencing migration could support more coordinated policy responses while promoting conditions that enable Africans to migrate by choice rather than necessity. His remarks reflect growing calls across the continent for migration policy to move beyond border management towards addressing longer term development challenges.
DIRCO also rejected reports relating to a petition submitted to the International Criminal Court by two Ghanaian civilians concerning alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The department stated that the matter does not satisfy the legal or jurisdictional requirements necessary for consideration by the court and maintained that South Africa’s domestic legal framework remains capable of investigating and prosecuting hate related offences where appropriate.
The statement comes against the backdrop of continued public demonstrations in parts of South Africa centred on immigration enforcement. Following nationwide protests held on 30 June, some groups have continued organising weekly marches calling for stricter implementation of immigration laws and the removal of undocumented foreign nationals.
South African authorities have consistently maintained that while the Constitution protects the right to peaceful assembly and protest, violence, intimidation, vigilantism and attacks directed at foreign nationals remain unlawful and will not be tolerated.
Migration continues to be one of the most significant policy issues facing the African continent, shaped by economic integration, labour mobility, conflict, climate pressures and demographic change. Regional organisations including the African Union, ECOWAS and the Southern African Development Community have increasingly emphasised the importance of coordinated approaches that balance national sovereignty, human security and regional development.
As discussions continue among African governments, the emphasis on dialogue between South Africa and ECOWAS highlights a broader recognition that sustainable migration governance requires cooperation across regions, respect for the rule of law and policies that address both immediate concerns and the structural conditions influencing movement across the continent.
