Cyril Ramaphosa addresses South African migration and South Sudan peace deal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed two distinct regional issues involving migration and peace stability. During a Freedom Day speech, Ramaphosa called on South Africans to maintain a friendly stance toward foreign nationals while emphasizing that all individuals must adhere to national immigration laws. He acknowledged public concerns regarding unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services but warned against xenophobia, stating, “We must not let these concerns lead to xenophobia against individuals from other African nations or any part of the world.” The government intends to bolster border security and enforce labor and immigration laws to manage migration.

In a separate diplomatic capacity, Ramaphosa closed a virtual summit of the African Union’s C5 High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan. He asserted that the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) remains the “paramount legal instrument” for the nation. As South Sudan prepares for general elections in December, regional leaders urged all parties to comply with the peace agreement, end hostilities, and establish a consensual electoral roadmap. The committee also called for the release of political detainees and the provision of adequate funding for transitional institutions.