Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project

South Africa faces a security challenge as anti-migrant violence escalates, driven by new civic movements and established vigilante groups demanding stricter border enforcement. Protests risk destabilizing a country already grappling with unemployment, inequality, and a distracted government, amid fears of renewed violence reminiscent of the 2021 unrest.

South Africa is preparing for potential violent anti-migrant protests organized by March and March, which set a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave. The government has deployed 600 million rand in security measures, while businesses and officials brace for unrest amid historical tensions and recent clashes. Past violence, including the 2021 looting and arson, has caused billions in economic damage and heightened fears of recurrence.

Drone strikes killed over 1,000 civilians in Sudan between January and May 2026, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The conflict, now in its fourth year, has seen a sharp increase in drone attacks and sexual violence, with 2025 reporting a 600% rise in drone-related deaths compared to 2024. The war, which began in April 2023, has displaced millions and caused widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Drones have become the leading cause of civilian deaths in Sudan's conflict, with at least 880 civilians killed between January and April. The war in Sudan has killed over 59,000 people and displaced some 13 million. Foreign-supplied drone technology is enabling the warring parties to expand strikes on densely populated areas.