Countries in Africa are experiencing a mix of economic opportunities and challenges. East Africa is witnessing economic growth driven by tourism, technology and natural resources, while other regions face economic disparities and infrastructure challenges.

South Africa 

BACKGROUND

In general elections, South Africans vote for a political party and not for specific presidential candidates. Parties are allocated seats in the 400-seat parliament based on the percentage of votes they receive in the national election, and members of parliament then elect the president.

President Cyril Ramaphosa won reelection as part of the African National Congress (ANC) party — the party once led by Nelson Mandela. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is the main opposition party, and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party is the third biggest in parliament, which has grown in popularity under leader Julius Malema.

Parliament is open for its next term, and Ramaphosa and the ANC have now formed a centrist coalition government with its main rival, the DA, and the Inkatha Freedom Party. Ramaphosa has been sworn in for a second term as president of South Africa, despite his party losing its parliamentary majority in the elections on May 29. South Africa is Africa’s most developed economy but is facing major challenges, including widening inequality and rising levels of unemployment and poverty.

OUTLOOK

The ANC is one of the African continent’s oldest liberation movements. The most recent elections may represent an important change in sentiment for this type of governance and leadership, as evidenced by the new coalition rule. The new coalition government will have a direct impact on whether recently proposed legislation will pass that establishes new processes for obtaining residency and citizenship in South Africa and a major overhaul of the immigration system in the future.

RECENT IMMIGRATION CHANGES

The South African government recently implemented a digital nomad visa, which allows foreign nationals who earn a sufficient minimum income to reside in South Africa and perform work as a freelancer or for an employer outside of South Africa.

The final “White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection: Towards a Complete Overhaul of the Migration System in South Africa” has been approved by the cabinet and recently published. The white paper outlines a single legislation with multiple chapters of the Citizenship Act, Immigration Act and Refugees Act to establish a process for foreign nationals to obtain residency and citizenship in South Africa, as well as safeguard refugees and asylum seekers. The final white paper is expected to be submitted to parliament and passed into law in the coming months.

The draft immigration regulation would overhaul the South African immigration system and:

• Introduce a point-based system for assessing work visas;
• Formalize the rules surrounding visitor visas for the spouses, parents and children of South African nationals or permanent residents;
• Modify guidance on certificates of registration; and
• Formalize police clearance documentation requirements.

Senegal

BACKGROUND

Senegal is a multiparty republic. The first constitution of Senegal was promulgated in 1963 and revised in March 1998. A new constitution, approved by voters in January 2001, provided for a strongly centralized presidential regime where the judicial, executive and legislative powers are separated. The president is the head of state, elected for up to two five-year terms, who then appoints a prime minister to be the head of government. The unicameral legislature is called the National Assembly, with most members directly elected to serve five-year terms.

The West African nation’s presidential election was initially scheduled for Feb. 25 but was delayed by incumbent President Macky Sall after he cited an electoral dispute between the parliament and the judiciary, specifically concerning the candidacy of his opponents. Legislation was then passed by the parliament to delay the presidential election until Dec. 15. At that time, security forces entered the legislative building and forcefully removed several opposition lawmakers who were trying to block the voting process. The postponement triggered a constitutional crisis, and intervention was required by the Constitutional Council to resume the election on March 24. The election was between Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a tax inspector and founding member of the Patriotes du Sénégal (PASTEF) party, and former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who represented the ruling coalition Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY, “United in Hope” in Wolof). The constitutional crisis put one of Africa’s most stable democracies to the test.

OUTLOOK

In the high-stakes election, Senegal elected a new president: Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Faye will inherit an irregular migration situation along with high youth unemployment and a rising cost of living. Faye was the “candidate of rupture,” and his PASTEF party has focused on strengthening the country’s position within the Economic Community of West African States and emphasizing the importance of the country’s domestic workforce. The Faye administration may focus on domestic priorities.

Recent immigration news 

Senegal is an important destination country within the West Africa region but has recently become a majority emigration and transit migration country because of its geographical position. This is particularly because of transit through Senegal to travel by sea or air to Europe. The IOM Migration Profile of Senegal, which is funded by in part by the European Union, notes that Senegal does not have a formal national migration policy or a structure dedicated to the migration issues they are encountering. The country has also been experiencing a “brain drain” phenomenon, with 17.7% of those receiving higher education emigrating, largely to France.

The government is working with national and international partners to implement programs developing and capitalizing on the skills of Senegalese nationals. The Senegalese government has made bilateral agreements with France, Italy and Spain in recent years to promote employment for youth and manage migration flows.

To illustrate the connection between neighboring countries, the Senegalese government recently implemented a change that all visa nationals in category B and C seeking a pre-approved business visa must obtain a police clearance certificate in French (or translated into French by a Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ sworn translator in Senegal and legalized). Previously, the requirement was only for long-term work and residence permit applicants.

Finally, there is currently a visa-exempt policy for all European Union citizens and foreign nationals from 96 other countries to travel to Senegal without first having to obtain a visa. If intending to stay for longer than three months, visa-exempt nationals must register with the local authorities in order to obtain a “carte d’étranger.” Foreign nationals of all other nationalities are required obtain their visa online (e-Visa) or in embassies. Individuals not eligible for the e-Visa are required to go to the nearest Senegalese Embassy.