TODAY’S DATE: Tuesday, 2026-08-18 (August 2026) REPORTING PERIOD: Last 7 days (2026-08-11 to 2026-08-18) — HEADLINE ‘SADC Summit Witnessed Protest Calling for Return of Undocumented Migrants’DATELINE Cape Town, South Africa – LEAD PARAGRAPH The 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Durban, South Africa, concluded on Monday, August 17, 2026, under a backdrop of controversy and protest. Officials commented on the matter. Cape Town, South Africa – As leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) gathered for their summit in Durban, a chorus of discontent echoed outside.
The March and March movement, a group known for its anti — migrant stance, took to the streets with a clear message: undocumented migrants must be repatriated.
The protest, which occurred on the final day of the summit, drew attention to the complex issue of migration within the region. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the matter directly, urging citizens to feel “ashamed “of discrimination and violence against people from other African countries.
This call comes amidst a backdrop of rising tensions over immigration policy in South Africa, with the government under pressure to implement stricter border controls.
March and March has been a vocal critic of the perceived leniency of South Africa’s immigration policies, arguing that the country has become a haven for undocumented immigrants.
The group’s demonstration at the SADC summit aimed to highlight what they see as a failure of regional leaders to tackle the issue effectively.
As the summit concluded, regional leaders faced both internal and external scrutiny regarding their stance on the migration crisis. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in a speech at the welcome dinner ahead of the summit, emphasized regional unity and a commitment to building a more prosperous Africa.
However, the presence of the March and March protest outside the summit venue served as a stark reminder of the challenges that must be addressed to achieve this goal.
The protest also brought into focus the broader implications of immigration policies on regional stability and economic development. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) set to come into effect, ensuring the free movement of people, goods, and services, the management of migration within the SADC region will be crucial to the success of the agreement. While the SADC summit concluded without immediate resolutions on the matter of undocumented migrants, the protest organized by March and March has ensured that the issue will remain on the agenda.
As the region grapples with the complexities of migration, the role of regional leaders in addressing these challenges will be under increased scrutiny. KICKER The conclusion of the SADC summit has not marked the end of the conversation on immigration within the region.
As leaders continue to navigate the complexities of managing migration, the calls from groups like March and March for a coordinated regional approach will be critical in shaping the future of migration policies in the SADC.
SOURCE South Africa: March and March Tell Regional Leaders It Is Time to Fetch Your People — [allafrica. Com]( Com/stories/202608170184.
Html) ‘Come fetch your people’: 300 anti-migrants protesters call out to SADC leaders — [france24.
Com]( France24.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: france24 – Africa
Source: FRANCE24
