Maputo, May 8, 2026 (Lusa) – Mozambique's Foreign Minister said on Thursday that solving xenophobia in South Africa required creating more jobs.

She announced that Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini are now working to establish a special economic zone at their shared 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 exceed 6%. This means the problem is not having Africans in South Africa, the problem is economic and social, it is unemployment," said Maria Lucas, Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in Maputo.

South Africa has experienced protests and social tensions targeting migrants. Earlier this month, an anti-immigration march led to attacks on foreign-owned businesses in the Eastern Cape Province.

She said that the solution to the crisis is not police or military action, but economic development to "be able to provide jobs."

"South Africa is creating a special economic zone at the border. On the South African side, the project is at a very advanced stage, and there is now a consensus to extend it to the Mozambican and Eswatini sides," she said, adding that the tripartite special economic zone should boost regional development, noting that many Mozambicans move to South Africa in search of work.

Mozambique's president, Daniel Chapo, said in South Africa on Tuesday that there are no records of Mozambicans killed or injured in xenophobic incidents in the neighbouring country and criticised the spread of false information on social media.

"The official information we have so far is that no Mozambican has been affected by this situation, and we will continue to monitor it," he said in Pretoria, during a briefing on his visit to the country.

Xenophobic tensions are a recurring problem in South Africa. Numerous immigrant communities have previously been repatriated by their own countries, such as Mozambique and Nigeria, and South Africa has faced harsh international criticism over xenophobia.

Chapo expressed "deep concern" regarding the acts of violence and intolerance directed at African foreigners, including Mozambicans living in South Africa. He voiced confidence in South Africa's government, noting that it would ensure the protection of those residing there.

He called for "calm and serenity" from nationals in South Africa, promising continuous efforts to restore stability and peace.

LCE/RYOL // ADB, 

Lusa