South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is deploying special envoys across Africa to manage the diplomatic damage caused by weeks of attacks against migrants. The violence has prompted concern across the continent, with countries including Kenya, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Malawi, and Nigeria issuing warnings or organizing evacuations for their citizens. Analysts say the attacks reflect deep frustrations over South Africa’s economic challenges, particularly high unemployment and inequality. Anti-migrant groups weaponized the country’s job situation—nearly one in three South Africans are unemployed—by blaming it on migrants. The attacks have strained relations between South Africa and other African nations and renewed debate over migration, economic opportunity, and social cohesion in Africa’s most industrialized economy.
Semafor
