South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to lead Africa’s response to migration, urging countries to tackle the conflict, poverty and governance failures that force people to leave their homes.
“We have seen how unmanaged migration can undermine the sovereignty, security, and social order of countries, not only South Africa but many other countries,” Ramaphosa said at the opening of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh PAP in Midrand.
He said Africa’s progress should be measured not only by freedom of movement, but by the ‘sufficient opportunity, dignity, and hope’ available to its people.
“We must work for a future where Africans are able to migrate out of choice and not necessity,” he added, urging countries to create equal economic opportunities.
Ramaphosa also called on African nations to add value to their natural resources instead of exporting raw materials.
“Rather than exporting our raw wealth, we must process our minerals, our agricultural produce, and our energy ourselves,” he said.
He also called for greater opportunities for young people and women, arguing that Africa should play a stronger role on the global stage.
“This continent must be a continent whose voice in global institutions matches its size, its history, and its potential. Long must be the days when Africa is always pushed to the back. Africa belongs to the front,” he said.
“We must lead the global events that are unfolding because we are, as Africa, the origins of humanity. Humanity originated from this continent. We must, therefore, take our place in global matters,” he concluded.
The Pan-African Parliament is the legislative arm of the African Union, bringing together lawmakers from across the continent to promote integration and cooperation.
Ramaphosa’s remarks come weeks after protests over immigration in South Africa escalated into attacks on foreign nationals, reigniting debate over migration, border security and xenophobia.
Source: Viory
