At the opening of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Durban, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa is "deeply ashamed" of the wave of xenophobic attacks that have targeted foreign residents in recent weeks, and called on member states to deepen integration and collective security.
Xenophobic violence and a wider African trend
Ramaphosa's remarks, reported by news24.com, came as the continent grapples with a surge in anti‑immigrant sentiment that the Mail & Guardian describes as "Africa's new nationalism." While the attacks have primarily affected migrants from other African nations, officials say they threaten South Africa's reputation as a regional hub for trade and human rights.
"We are deeply ashamed of the attacks on our brothers and sisters from other African countries," Ramaphura said to the assembled leaders.
Human‑rights groups have warned that the violence could spill over borders, urging SADC to adopt a coordinated response. The summit’s agenda, according to the South African Government News Agency, includes calls for stronger health sovereignty, a youth‑focused Vision 2050, and the use of regional resources to drive an industrial revolution.
Compensation claims and diplomatic push‑back
In parallel with the condemnation, Ramaphosa announced that South Africa will seek reimbursement for the costs of evacuating and repatriating foreign nationals who fled the unrest. TVC News and Pulse Nigeria reported that the government is demanding roughly $18.5 million from Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia. The figure is based on the estimated expenses incurred by South African authorities in arranging flights and processing returns.
Ghana has publicly rejected the claim. The Ghanaian Foreign Affairs Ministry, cited by Modern Ghana, CitiNewsroom.com, and Pulse Ghana, said the evacuation of its citizens was fully funded by Ghana itself and that no $18 million debt exists. The ministry labelled South Africa’s demand as “unsubstantiated” and affirmed that Ghana bore the entire cost of the operation.
Domestic controversy also surrounds the issue. A proposed R292 million (approximately $18 million) Repatriation Bill, intended to cover future costs of similar operations, has drawn opposition from civil‑society leader Onoh, as reported by FRCN HQ. Critics argue the bill could create a financial burden on the state and question its transparency.
SADC summit priorities amid the crisis
Beyond the immediate crisis, the summit’s leaders, including Namibia’s foreign minister Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah, discussed long‑term strategies for regional resilience. The KwaZulu‑Natal Premier urged a renewed commitment to public diplomacy, while the summit’s public lecture, delivered by Ramaphosa, emphasized the need for youth‑centred policies under the Vision 2050 framework.
Ramaphosa also called for SADC to harness its own resources to accelerate an "industrial revolution" that would create jobs and reduce the economic pressures that often fuel xenophobic attitudes. The agenda reflects a broader push to transform the bloc’s economic and health systems, according to statements from the South African Government News Agency.
As the summit proceeds, observers will watch how member states balance the demand for compensation with the need for solidarity, and whether the proposed repatriation legislation gains parliamentary approval. The outcome could shape the region’s approach to both migration management and the broader challenge of rising nationalist sentiment across Africa.
