South Africa has welcomed ongoing African Union (AU) discussions on migration and called for a coordinated continental approach that addresses the root causes of irregular migration instead of blaming individual countries.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister – Ronald Lamola stated that South Africa strongly supports AU efforts to promote order, regular and legal migration under the official AU Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, adopted in 2018 as part of Agenda 2063.
Lamola noted that the protocol encourages coordinated migration management, stronger border controls and action against human trafficking. He also highlighted the SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons, which was signed by South Africa and is yet to be fully implemented.
IRC Minister Ronald Lamola mentioned that migration must comply with national laws while it must also respect the human rights. African countries have the sovereign right to enforce immigration laws, and the undocumented migration should be handled by law enforcement authorities, not by private individuals or groups.
Lamola said that South Africa receives the highest number of migrants in Africa, both regular and irregular ways, while North African nations face migration pressures as destination and transit countries. He argued that migration cannot be solved without addressing factors that force people to leave their home countries, such as:
- Economic Hardship
- Unemployment
- Poor Governance
- Conflict
- Insecurity
- Climate Change
Ronald Lamola further urged that the debate, proposed by Ghana, should avoid pointing finger or political scoring against South Africa and instead promote constructive, continent-wide solutions. He reaffirmed willingness of South Africa to engage with AU and welcomed a fact-finding mission to better understand migration challenges. The issue is expected to be discussed during the African Union Executive Council meeting taking place this week.
Ghana is seeking African Union support for a coordinated continental response to protect African migrants amid anti-migrant violence in South Africa. Ghana is among several African countries that have repatriated citizens from South Africa following attacks and growing concerns… pic.twitter.com/rXYcAi0xZn
— CGTN Africa (@cgtnafrica) July 28, 2026
South Africa’s IRC Minister – Ronald Lamola said that his recent visit to Ghana as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy reaffirmed the strong and enduring relationship between the two countries. He dismissed claims that the delegation had been rejected and stated that he was warmly received by Ghanaian President John Mahama and senior officials. He said both nations agreed that migration-related issues would not undermine their longstanding ties, rooted in the shared struggle against apartheid.
Ghana acknowledged South Africa’s right to enforce its immigration laws but expressed concern over violence linked to anti-migration protests and individuals impersonating law enforcement and Home Affairs officials. South Africa assured Ghana that authorities were taking action against those responsible, including arrests for impersonation, looting and housebreaking.
Lamola also confirmed that criminal cases involving Ghanaian nationals are being investigating under active intelligence and stressed that there is no impunity. He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to lawful, orderly and humane migration management across Africa.