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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

160,000 flee South Africa over anti-migrant unrest - Report

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Over 160,000 foreign nationals have left South Africa in the past two months due to escalating anti-migrant hostility and violence from local groups.
  • Zimbabwe and Malawi have seen the largest numbers of citizens repatriating, with governments providing transport assistance.
  • The unrest, which has claimed at least four migrant lives, has prompted calls for discussions on

Weeks of escalating hostility and violence against undocumented migrants have forced over 160,000 foreign nationals to flee South Africa in the past two months, according to an AFP tally. Citizen-led groups had set an unofficial deadline of June 30 for undocumented migrants to leave the country.

Afrophobia

— Nigerian and Ghanaian officialsNigeria and Ghana have demanded that the issue of 'Afrophobia' be discussed at the next African Union summit.

Many migrants, primarily from Zimbabwe and Malawi, sought transport home from consulates and community halls, often leaving with only their belongings and fearing for their lives. Zimbabwe reported 108,366 citizens repatriating, while Malawi facilitated the return of over 46,890 people, including six who died in transit. Hundreds of Mozambicans also returned, with some crossing the border after two Mozambican nationals were killed in May.

The violence has claimed at least four migrant lives, including an Ethiopian and a Malawian, with authorities confirming deaths linked to "anti-foreigner sentiment." Nigeria and Ghana reported two and one national deaths respectively, attributing them to "xenophobic protests and attacks." South African authorities have refuted these claims, warning against online disinformation.

anti-foreigner sentiment

— South African authoritiesAuthorities confirmed the deaths of an Ethiopian and a Malawian in 'anti-foreigner sentiment'.

Nigeria and Ghana have called for "Afrophobia" to be discussed at the next African Union summit and Ghana postponed a presidential visit. South Africa, historically a destination for African workers seeking employment, faces renewed xenophobic tensions.

anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks

— Ghanaian governmentGhana stated one of its citizens died in a Cape Town township in 'anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks'.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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