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Sixty more Kenyans repatriated from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

Sixty more Kenyans repatriated from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Another 60 Kenyans have been repatriated from South Africa due to xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests.
  • The Kenyan government is concluding evacuation operations and urging citizens to register for the final flight by July 7.
  • Anti-immigrant groups in South Africa have blamed migrants for economic problems and crime, leading to repatriations from several African nations.

Nairobi, Kenya – Sixty more Kenyans have returned home from South Africa, fleeing xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant protests. This group joins 151 Kenyans who arrived on Thursday, bringing the total repatriated due to the unrest to 211.

The Government of Kenya expresses its sincere gratitude to the Kenyan community in South Africa, led by the Kenya Diaspora Association in South Africa (KEDASA) and its leadership, for maintaining peace and cooperating with consular teams and local authorities during the evacuation.

— Kenyan Ministry of Diaspora AffairsThe ministry's statement thanking the Kenyan diaspora and local authorities for their cooperation during the evacuation process.

The Kenyan Ministry of Diaspora Affairs stated that Minister Roseline Kathure Njogu met the "evacuees" upon their arrival. They received psychosocial support before reuniting with their families. The government expressed gratitude to the Kenyan community in South Africa and its leadership for maintaining peace and cooperating with consular teams and local authorities during the evacuation.

Evacuation operations are scheduled to conclude on July 9 from Johannesburg. The ministry urged all citizens wishing to return to register with the Kenyan Embassy in Pretoria by Tuesday, July 7. Only registered, assessed, and processed individuals will be eligible for the final flight. At least 240 Kenyans have registered for assistance, receiving temporary housing, meals, essential supplies, and specialized support.

Only those who have been registered, assessed, and processed will be eligible for evacuation on the final flight.

— Kenyan Ministry of Diaspora AffairsInformation regarding eligibility for the final evacuation flight from South Africa.

The unrest in South Africa escalated with thousands participating in marches called by anti-immigrant groups, demanding undocumented migrants leave the country. While police confirmed one fatality during looting that coincided with protests, the Minister of Justice stated no deaths occurred during the demonstrations themselves, which resulted in over 900 arrests. Migrants are accused of exacerbating economic issues, straining public services, and contributing to crime. Several African nations, including Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, and Malawi, have repatriated hundreds of citizens fearing xenophobic attacks.

No fatalities were registered during the day of these demonstrations.

— Mmamoloko KubayiSouth Africa's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development commenting on the outcome of anti-immigrant demonstrations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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