KIGALI — Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe has called for a more balanced and “root-cause focused” approach to migration debates in Africa, urging leaders not to single out individual countries for broader migration challenges.
Speaking during an official visit to South Africa, Nduhungirehe said discussions around undocumented migration should shift away from blame and instead address underlying drivers such as poverty, armed conflict, and lack of economic opportunity in countries of origin.
His remarks come amid rising public tensions and demonstrations in parts of South Africa linked to concerns over undocumented migration and pressure on public services and jobs. The issue has increasingly become a sensitive political topic in several urban centres.
Nduhungirehe stressed that migration is a continental issue requiring cooperation rather than confrontation, warning that blaming destination countries risks deepening divisions among African states.
He called for “calm, pragmatic and coordinated” solutions across the continent, including stronger regional frameworks to manage mobility, improve border governance, and invest in development to reduce forced migration pressures.
The Rwandan minister also emphasised that sustainable solutions must focus on long-term stability in countries of origin, rather than reactive measures targeting migrants in destination countries.
Olivier Nduhungirehe made the remarks during discussions with South African officials as debates continue over migration policy and social tensions linked to undocumented migration in South Africa.
Rwanda has consistently positioned itself as an advocate for coordinated African approaches to migration management, arguing that the continent’s mobility challenges require shared responsibility among all states.
