JOHANNESBURG: A fresh wave of anti-migrant protests has swept across South Africa, with demonstrators in Johannesburg and Durban calling for stricter immigration controls. The protests, which began in the wake of rising unemployment and crime fears, have led to clashes with police and the looting of foreign-owned shops. The British government has issued a statement urging restraint, emphasising the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of nationality.
The Foreign Office noted the strong Commonwealth ties between the UK and South Africa, and expressed concern over the potential for violence to escalate. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for calm, pledging to address the structural economic grievances that underpin the unrest, but analysts warn that the protests could further destabilise the region and strain diplomatic relations within the Commonwealth.
