President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated South Africa's commitment to combating xenophobia and upholding the rights of all people living within the country's borders, while calling on African nations to work together to address the root causes of migration.
Ramaphosa made the remarks while addressing the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Pan-African Parliament in Midrand on Monday.
The President said South Africa remains committed to enforcing the rule of law while ensuring that the rights of both citizens and foreign nationals are protected.
"We've taken a firm stand against hatred for people from other countries, xenophobia or Afrophobia. We have taken steps to strengthen and enforce our laws to defuse tension and to ensure that all persons within our borders respect the rights of all and that the rights of people from outside South Africa are respected and upheld," Ramaphosa said.
His comments come amid ongoing discussions around migration and rising tensions involving foreign nationals in parts of the country.
Ramaphosa stressed that migration is a continental challenge that requires a coordinated African response rather than action by individual countries alone.
He urged African leaders to address the underlying factors that force people to leave their home countries, including conflict, poverty, weak governance and limited economic opportunities.
"We need to work together to address issues like conflict, instability, governance failures, poverty and social discord. We need to create equal economic opportunities across the African continent," he said.
The President also reiterated the African Union's commitment to ending armed conflict across the continent.
"We also need to silence the guns, which is a very clear and firm position that has been taken by the African Union. We need to build inclusive institutions of governance. We must work for a future where Africans are able to migrate out of choice and not necessity," Ramaphosa said.
He said stronger governance, greater economic inclusion and lasting peace across Africa would help create conditions where migration becomes a matter of choice rather than a response to hardship.