Mozambique's foreign minister said on Thursday that the solution to xenophobia in South Africa starts with the creation of more jobs; Therefore, he announced that both the country and Eswatini are now betting on the creation of a special economic zone on their joint border. “If you look at the percentage of the African population living in South Africa, it is only 4%; if you look at the population detained for crimes (…) our African population does not reach more than 6%. So, what this means is that the problem is not really of Africans living in South Africa – the problem is economic and social; it is unemployment,” Maria Lucas, Mozambique's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said in Maputo. Protests and social tensions targeting migrants have been recorded in South Africa; Earlier in the month, a march against immigration ended in attacks on foreign-owned businesses in the Eastern Cape province in the east of the country.
According to the Mozambican official, the solution to the crisis is not police or military-based, but rather the countries' economic development “to be able to provide employment”.
“South Africa is building a special economic zone along the border. On the South African side, the project is at a very advanced stage, and it has now been agreed to extend it to the Mozambican and Eswatini sides,” he said. He said the trilateral special economic zone should promote regional development, noting that many Mozambicans travel to South Africa in search of employment. On Tuesday, Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, criticizing the spread of misinformation on social media, guaranteed in South Africa that there is no record of nationals killed or injured in xenophobia-related incidents in that neighboring country.
“The official information we have so far is that no Mozambicans have been affected by this situation and we will continue to monitor it,” Mozambican head of state Daniel Chapo said in Pretoria, reviewing his visit to the neighboring country.
Xenophobic tension is a recurring problem in South Africa. Many immigrant communities have been deported by their home countries, such as Mozambique or Nigeria, and South Africa has been the target of harsh international criticism for xenophobia.
Chapo expressed “deep concern” about acts of violence and intolerance against African foreigners, including Mozambicans, living in South Africa. He expressed confidence in that country's government, indicating that it would ensure the safety of people living there.
The President of Mozambique called on citizens in South Africa for “peace and tranquility” while promising continued efforts to restore stability and peace.
Source: Lusa