In light of the worsening conditions faced by African nationals and the escalating xenophobic tensions in South Africa, a group of Senegalese civil society leaders visited the South African Embassy in Dakar. The coalition, including former minister and ex-deputy director of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Professor Ndioro Ndiaye, as well as the NGO FEMIDEC, delivered a letter of concern addressed to the South African Head of State.
Whilst recalling Senegal’s historic support for the Rainbow Nation during the apartheid era, these civil society actors have urged for the adoption of preventive diplomacy and the implementation of comprehensive legal frameworks to manage continental migration.
A Preventive Diplomacy with Pretoria
The treatment of African nationals in South Africa is becoming increasingly worrying. Indeed, concerned about the fate of migrants from across the continent, CSOs have opted for a pre-emptive action in order to help prevent an escalation of targeted violence. The initiative’s aim was to convey a spirit of solidarity whilst urging authorities in South Africa to uphold fundamental rights.
“At the invitation of our group, coordinated by Seinghane Senghor and Ibrahima Kane, we have just met with the South African Chargée d’affaires here in Dakar,” the delegation’s spokesperson explained.
She went on to specify the purpose of their official visit: “We are conveying a message from the whole of civil society organisations concerned with migration and development issues in our respective countries. We handed over, on behalf of civil society, a letter we have deemed appropriate to address to His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Africa.”
The concerns of community stakeholders and the need to anticipate crises are clearly expressed in the letter: “Firstly, we extend our solidarity with African communities affected by these issues and express our concern regarding the frequent reports of such incidents in the international press.”
The purpose of the delegates’ visit is to support official channels through direct action by the civil society movements.
“We know that our diplomatic services are doing what is necessary, but we felt it was useful, as civil society representatives, to join in these diplomatic efforts aimed at prevention,” they emphasized, adding that they had brought up “the issue of respect for migrants’ rights in general, but above all the legal status of irregular migrants in the country.”
Dakar’s Historic Support for the ‘Rainbow Nation’ Recalled
For the delegation members, the bitterness is all the greater given that Senegal had provided valuable support in the fight against the apartheid rule by offering unconditional diplomatic, logistical and cultural support to South African freedom fighters.
While highlighting the international career of one of the leading figures behind this initiative, NGO FEMIDEC’s chairperson points out: “Professor Ndioro Ndiaye chairs the AMELD association. She was also deputy director of the IOM, so she is the right person to provide insight into these matters. “
She went on to revisit the moral and historical debt that binds the two nations: “It is also important to recognise that South Africa received support from all African nations, particularly from Senegal. The latter provided travel documents to South African [freedom fighters] using diplomatic channels; Senegal issued passports; our musicians sang protest songs; our people, our youth and our schools all contributed one way or another”.
The abuses and violence reported in South Africa have sparked deep confusion among civil society groups. “It is surprising that this situation exists in South Africa. We must therefore raise awareness,” she adds, highlighting the risk of seeing a wider impact in the region: “We are bringing up the issues with the African community in a bid to avoid a spillover effect throughout the continent, especially in West Africa where irregular migration is worsening.”
A Shared Responsibility in the Management of Mobility
Beyond simply exposing the problem, the civil society emphasises the shared responsibility between countries of origin and host countries. The lack of information for people considering migration and the absence of structured national policies further increase the vulnerability of those on the move.
“To address this particular case, I believe there is a shared responsibility. The host country bears responsibility, but so does the country of origin,” the collective’s representative said.
She also pointed to the lack of awareness of regulatory frameworks among prospective migrants: “Often, migrants simply set off without taking into account the rules governing migration. You can go to live with people, but you must respect the rules put in place by the host country. And that is lacking.”
To address these structural shortcomings, the delegation calls for a complete overhaul of migration policies across the continent: “That is why we are calling on our various countries to develop and implement national migration policies that not only take mobility indicators into account, but also protect human rights.”
Finally, as a warning, the CSOs point out that no country is spared from such tensions without political foresight: “What is happening in South Africa – no African country is immune to that. If we do not take proactive steps by putting in place appropriate frameworks and if we do not enact legislation to regulate this mobility […], we are heading for trouble.”
