South Africa: Migration issues cannot be solved through vigilantism – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has described recent tensions involving African migrants in South Africa as unfortunate, warning that such incidents could undermine efforts to deepen integration across the continent.

Speaking in an interview with TRT World, President Mahama said Africa is currently working to increase trade among member states and improve the movement of people and goods, making acts of xenophobia particularly concerning.

“Africa needs more integration at this point. And that’s why what happened in South Africa is unfortunate, because it comes at a time when we’re trying to trade more amongst ourselves. We’re trying to improve movement of people and goods across the continent,” he said.

President Mahama noted that xenophobic actions could weaken efforts to foster closer relations among African countries and slow progress towards greater continental integration.

He, however, acknowledged the need for African countries to engage in broader discussions on migration, suggesting that the issue should be placed on the agenda of the African Union (AU).

“We can discuss the issue of migration. And I think it’s something we can put on the agenda of the African Union to discuss,” he said.

The President stressed that migration challenges must be addressed through dialogue, cooperation and appropriate policies rather than through vigilantism.

“But I do think that you cannot solve migration issues with vigilantism. Vigilantism is not the way to deal with issues of migration,” he said.

President Mahama reiterated that greater integration and unity remain essential to Africa’s development, particularly as countries work to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the continent.