South African President apologizes for violence against migrants

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a formal apology to Mozambican President Daniel Chapo following recent xenophobic violence against foreign nationals in South Africa. The apology was tendered during a lecture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which President Chapo attended while in the country for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit.

President Ramaphosa condemned the attacks, stating that the criminal actions of certain citizens repudiate the solidarity of the SADC. He expressed shame over the discrimination and ill-treatment faced by migrants, noting that South Africans cannot preach integration at summits while practicing exclusion in their streets.

Mozambican Foreign Minister Maria dos Santos Lucas acknowledged the apology, noting that while the South African government has treated the issue as a matter of illegal migration, the recent management of the situation involved errors. President Chapo emphasized that violence is not a solution to migratory conflicts and called for the SADC to play a stronger role in promoting safe migration and respecting human life. Discussions regarding compensation for Mozambicans affected by the violence have not yet been initiated, as the process is considered complex and ongoing.