By Malcolm Hlongwane |
Leaders and members of the Ethiopian and Somali diaspora communities in South Africa have issued an urgent public declaration calling on the South African government and the Department of Home Affairs to address what they describe as worsening administrative and humanitarian challenges facing their communities.
In a joint statement, the communities said thousands of Ethiopians and Somalis living in South Africa continue to contribute meaningfully to local economies through small businesses and trade, despite facing ongoing barriers related to documentation, mobility, and access to basic support services.The diaspora groups are demanding immediate intervention on two critical issues they say are affecting the dignity, survival, and future prospects of many foreign nationals.
Their first demand is for the fast-tracking of Refugee Travel Documents and passports for documented individuals who wish to legally leave South Africa in pursuit of education, employment opportunities, or family reunification abroad.According to the statement, many applicants are currently forced to wait months for travel documents to be processed, leaving families stranded and opportunities lost.
The communities have urged the Department of Home Affairs to establish an emergency fast-track processing system to speed up applications and allow eligible individuals to travel legally without unnecessary delays.The second demand focuses on immediate humanitarian and financial assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers fleeing conflict and instability in Somalia and Ethiopia.
Community leaders say many newcomers arrive in South Africa with no financial resources, accommodation, or access to food and healthcare, making them highly vulnerable to poverty, exploitation, and safety risks.They are calling on government, working together with international humanitarian organisations, to introduce an emergency financial support programme that would provide temporary shelter, food assistance, and basic necessities while asylum applications and documentation are being processed.
The declaration comes amid growing tensions around immigration and foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, particularly in Durban and other major cities, where concerns over safety, xenophobia, and undocumented migration have intensified in recent weeks.The communities say their appeal is aimed at finding lawful, humane, and practical solutions that protect both migrants and South African society.
Email: Malcolm@onenews.co.za
