Nigeria, Ghana offer to help citizens leave South Africa amid migrant attacks

More than 1,000 Nigerians residing in South Africa have registered for a voluntary repatriation program following a series of attacks targeting migrants. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that screening is underway by both Nigerian and South African immigration officials to determine eligibility. South African authorities have agreed to waive penalties for visa violations, such as overstays, but individuals facing criminal charges will not be permitted to leave.

This initiative comes amid a new surge in protests against undocumented migrants in South Africa, some of which have escalated into violence. Migrants have reported aggressive mobs demanding they leave the country, with protesters accusing them of committing crimes and taking jobs. These accusations are amplified by South Africa's high unemployment, poverty, and ineffective policing, leading analysts and rights groups to argue that migrants are being scapegoated.

Recent incidents have heightened fears of further violence. In May, five Ethiopian migrants were reportedly killed in Johannesburg. In June, Mozambique reported that five of its nationals died amidst anti-immigrant violence in the Western Cape. South African officials have condemned these acts and pledged to crack down on "xenophobic acts."

Other African nations are also taking steps to protect their citizens. Ghana recently repatriated around 300 people and expects hundreds more to follow. Ethiopia is also preparing to bring its citizens home, according to a Nigerian Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Countries like Kenya, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe have urged their citizens to exercise caution while in South Africa. South Africa hosts over three million foreign nationals, approximately 5.1% of its population, with a significant portion originating from the Southern African Development Community bloc. The country has a history of xenophobic violence, notably in 2008 when at least 62 people died and thousands were displaced.

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Total figure not out yet. We are expecting over a thousand persons.