Protestors during an anti-immigrant demonstration in Johannesburg, on June 5.Photographer: Ihsaan Haffejee/Anadolu/Getty Images
Over a thousand Nigerians have signed up to leave South Africa as a fresh surge of xenophobic hostility forces migrants across the continent to weigh their safety against their livelihoods in Africa’s most industrialised economy.
President Bola Tinubu has authorised five evacuation flights to be operated by Air Peace, with the first departure from Johannesburg now expected on Wednesday evening, pending final regulatory approvals and clearances. The initial flight is projected to carry approximately 270 Nigerians.
More than 500 citizens have been screened and cleared for evacuation, with the exercise being carried out jointly by officials from Nigeria and South Africa alongside South African immigration and law enforcement authorities. Notably, South African authorities have agreed to waive penalties for visa violations such as overstays, though individuals facing criminal charges will not be eligible to leave.
The scale of the response reflects how rapidly the crisis has grown. When anti-immigrant protests first intensified in late April, only 130 Nigerians had registered for repatriation. That number has since swelled dramatically, officials anticipate that more than 1,000 Nigerians will take advantage of the initiative, with the Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirming: “Total figure not out yet. We are expecting over 1,000 persons.”
Nigerians in South Africa are currently being profiled and documented at the Nigerian Embassy in collaboration with the Nigerian Mission and officials of the South African Home Office. The Nigerians Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, said the Federal Government is facilitating returns through relevant agencies to ensure smooth and dignified repatriation, with President Tinubu remaining committed to the welfare of all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
Nigeria is not the only country pulling citizens home. Ghana repatriated 654 of its citizens from South Africa at the weekend, according to the Border Management Authority. Ethiopia is expected to be the next country to begin repatriation arrangements.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a televised address on Sunday, warned against vigilante actions targeting migrants, saying immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the state and pledging government action against groups fuelling the unrest. South Africa has seen a surge in xenophobic protests in recent months, with fears mounting of renewed and intensified violence. About 60 people died and 50,000 were displaced in a spate of attacks against migrants in 2008.
Anti-immigration groups have given undocumented migrants until June 30 to leave South Africa and are seeking discussions with government officials.
Previous outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa have triggered diplomatic tensions and retaliatory attacks in Nigeria, where some South African-owned businesses were vandalised and looted. Nigerian authorities have moved to prevent a repeat.
“Any attempt to target South African nationals, diplomatic facilities, businesses, or other lawful interests within Nigeria will be treated as a criminal act,” police said, with senior spokesperson Aliyu Giwa adding: “We recognise the pain and anger caused by recent attacks on Nigerians abroad. As an institution dedicated to protecting Nigerian lives, we understand these concerns deeply.”
By: Andrews Kwesi Yeboah