euro|topics - Riots in South Africa

10/10/2008

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Main focus of Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Riots in South Africa

In recent days there have been xenophobic attacks against residents from neighbouring countries in the South African city of Johannesburg. The European press looks at the causes and consequences.

die tageszeitung - Germany

Dominic Johnson comments on the violence against foreigners in South Africa: "In Italy these days the Roma are being persecuted, while in South Africa the same is happening with immigrants from Zimbabwe. Xenophobic pogroms have apparently become socially acceptable. ... Naples has seen mobs pillaging Roma camps. ... Who would have thought that calls of 'foreigners, out!' could one day unite Africa and Europe? ... In countless nations of the world political power struggles are being fought with the demagogic instruments of ethnic, religious and geographical divides. ... What can be done against this reign of xenophobia? The political consensus according to which the mere presence of 'foreigners' is a problem in itself which requires a solution must be broken." (21/05/2008)

El País - Spain

The Spanish newspaper El País comments: "The wave of xenophobic riots is primarily aimed at immigrants from Zimbabwe, who number between one and three million - no one knows for sure. One of the least acceptable positions of President Mbeki - who let us not forget is the head of state of a regional power - is his benevolent attitude to the tyrannic regime in neighbouring Zimbabwe. The South African ANC government - formerly a liberation movement - not only holds a protective screen over the abhorrent dictator. Its indifference regarding the suffering north of the border which brought about this mass migration is one of the chief causes of the current riots. And these riots are doing major damage to the reputation for tolerance that South Africa is seeking to acquire." (21/05/2008)

The Independent - United Kingdom

William Gumede writes in the Independent about the violent attacks on foreign refugees in South Africa: "Long-standing official denial of xenophobia is at the heart of the terrible violence. ... For years, warnings ... that the regular attacks in townships, rural towns and inner-city slums on foreign Africans will soon escalate have been ignored by the South African government. ... Up to now South Africa has not developed any effective policy to deal with the largest mass immigration into the country – not only from Africa, but from the hotspots of Asia and Eastern Europe – in modern history. ... Making South Africa's infant democracy, institutions and leaders more responsive and accountable must be part of the solution to the problem of xenophobia." (21/05/2008)

La Repubblica - Italy

"As soon as the sun goes down and night falls over Johannesburg, the hunt for foreigners resumes. ... Jeppestown, once a rich neighbourhood and pulsing business centre, is now in the hands of organised gangs. The South African gangs [consist] mostly of Zulus, the country's ethnic majority. ... President Thabo Mbeki is calling for peace. ... But suspicions are growing that the revolts have been incited by a sector of the booming South African economy. It is striking that neither Pakistanis, Chinese nor Indians - all of whom have been located here for many years - have come to any harm." (21/05/2008)

» To the complete press review of Wednesday, May 21, 2008

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