Lamola Urges Continental Approach to Irregular Migration

South Africa Proposes Conference on Root Causes of Migration

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has called on African countries to treat irregular migration as a shared continental challenge rather than placing blame on individual nations.

Responding to a petition raised by Ghana at the African Union Executive Council, Lamola said irregular migration is often driven by necessity rather than choice and requires a coordinated response from across the continent.

He proposed an Africa wide conference to examine the root causes of irregular migration, saying that sustainable solutions must address the underlying economic, social, and security factors driving population movements.

Lamola also noted that the majority of African migrants remain within the continent, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation and collective action in managing migration effectively.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions within the African Union on migration, regional integration, and development across Africa.