South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, Africa - Photo Credit: PAP

NNA News - South Africa has renewed its call for the African Union (AU) to convene a continent-wide conference on migration, arguing that the movement of people across Africa requires a coordinated response that addresses its root causes rather than focusing on individual countries.

Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said migration is a continental phenomenon that demands collective African solutions. "There is no discussion that will be helpful that will just focus on South Africa, because we are not the only country facing a migration challenge," Lamola said.

His remarks followed a decision by the 49th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council not to include migration on the agenda of the upcoming African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting. Lamola said South Africa continues to support the implementation of a resolution adopted during the 25th African Union Assembly in Johannesburg in 2015, which called for an African conference on migration.

An aerial drone photo taken on June 30, 2026 shows protesters marching during a massive demonstration against illegal immigration in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Shiraaz Mohamed) 

According to the minister, the proposed conference should examine ways to accelerate mobility and development across the continent while addressing irregular migration and strengthening Africa's capacity to manage migration flows.

He said discussions should also confront the factors driving migration, including climate change, economic conditions, peace and security, democratic governance and regional integration. "The proposed conference should consider ways to accelerate mobility and development within Africa while addressing increased irregular migration and strengthening the continent's capacity to manage migration flows," Lamola said.

The minister added that migration should not be viewed only through the lens of border management but also through the broader challenges affecting African societies. "The conference should also enable African countries to discuss the root causes of anti-migrant sentiment and develop a collective continental approach to preventing violence, discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance," he said.

According to Lamola, migration within Africa remains the dominant trend, with South Africa, Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire among the continent's principal destinations for intra-African migrants. He urged the African Union to revive and implement the 2015 resolution, saying migration should be addressed as a shared continental priority rather than as a challenge affecting a single country.

South Africa will also continue engaging with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, which is expected to visit the country for discussions on migration-related issues.