Africa's leaders have long championed continental integration as a pathway to development, yet progress remains uneven and fragmented. The writer argues that without stronger regional economies and more effective cooperation, the continent will continue to face migration pressures, economic disparities and barriers to unity.
Another Africa Day/month has come and gone. Not much progress in Africa of late. This is not to say that Africa does not have any good news at all. Taking a look at one critical, if not fundamental issue about Africa, the road towards deepening integration remains very long. That is why we should not be surprised by the anti-immigrant sentiments in South Africa.
Economic hardships in various African countries, which could have been addressed by an effective integration strategy, account for the significant part of negative attitudes towards other Africans in South Africa. The economy of South Africa, although performing below par, is seen as an Eldorado for many out there.
Hence, an influx of immigrants in search of economic opportunities. The inability to improve socio-economic conditions in the various subregions within Africa results to people having to move to some of the countries. It is in this context that the South African plan on migration is unlikely to address the issue satisfactorily or sustainably.
