Migration challenges are expected to feature prominently as heads of state and government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meet for the bloc’s 46th Ordinary Summit in Durban, South Africa, on Monday.
The summit, taking place at the Durban International Convention Centre, will bring together regional leaders to discuss challenges facing the 16-member bloc, including migration, peace and security.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the summit on Monday before formally assuming the SADC chairmanship, a position he will hold until August next year.
Ramaphosa has called on SADC countries to address the conditions driving people to leave their home countries, as migration continues to affect countries across the region.
Thousands fled South Africa after anti-migrant groups issued a deadline.
Some SADC member states say the summit provides an opportunity for leaders to engage more deeply on the migration challenges facing the region.
The government of Lesotho has said migration is an issue that affects the entire SADC region.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf is also expected to address the gathering.
Anti-migration protests
Security has been heightened in Durban ahead of the summit, with anti-undocumented immigration groups planning demonstrations over the presence of undocumented foreign nationals.
March and March and Operation Dudula activists are expected to march in the city and present their grievances to regional leaders.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the movement of the groups would be restricted because of the large crowds expected during the demonstrations.
He said the march would be kept away from the Durban ICC precinct to avoid compromising the security of heads of state and other dignitaries.
“Their message will still be heard and police will escort them from the start to the Speaker’s Corner and ensure that they disperse peacefully. It’s not that we don’t want them to march; we’ll allow them to march,” Netshiunda said.
