The South African government says more than 53,000 foreign nationals have recently been deported or voluntarily repatriated. It alleges a "pattern ​of widespread and systematic attacks" against migrants in South Africa. On Sunday, leaders from the West African regional bloc Ecowas condemned the reported attacks on African migrants in South Africa, especially the "despicable treatment of West African citizens". South Africa is the continent's wealthiest nation and has long attracted migrants searching for better economic opportunities, some of whom enter the illegally. There are more than three million documented foreign nationals in South Africa, according to official figures, which does not account for those in the country illegally.