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Significance
President Jacob Zuma cancelled a state visit to Indonesia to lead government efforts against the violence. However, popular perceptions of uncontrollable inflows linked state incapacity, a porous asylum system and continued weak economic growth mean that anti-immigrant sentiment will persist.
Impacts
In the short term, South Africa is likely to refrain from reforming the regional customs union out of fear of antagonising its neighbours.
Reputational damage from the attacks is likely to undermine Zuma's efforts to create a 'rapid response' regional peace-keeping force.
This reputational damage may encourage international firms to base their SSA headquarters in non-South African 'gateway' cities.
Keywords:
Africa,
South Africa,
AF,
Malawi,
Mozambique,
Nigeria,
Somalia,
Zambia,
Zimbabwe,
international relations,
politics,
social,
crime,
immigration,
integration,
policy,
economy
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2015
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