Nigeria Repatriates 268 Citizens From South Africa Amid Rising Anti-Migrant Violence
Nigeria has become the latest African nation to commence the repatriation of its citizens from South Africa, a move spurred by escalating anti-migrant sentiment within the country. A flight carrying 268 Nigerian nationals landed in Lagos on Thursday morning, departing from Johannesburg. This group represents a portion of approximately 1,000 individuals who have registered for repatriation with the Nigerian consulate in South Africa.
Evacuations Follow Campaigner Deadline
The evacuations by Nigeria follow similar actions undertaken by Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. These repatriations precede a 30 June deadline, unilaterally imposed by certain activist groups, for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. Many foreign nationals migrated to South Africa after the end of white-minority rule in 1994, seeking improved economic prospects.
However, South Africa currently faces an unemployment rate exceeding 30%. This economic strain has been a significant factor in the rise of anti-migrant sentiment, manifesting in protest marches across major cities and documented xenophobic attacks.
Justin, one of the Nigerian passengers returning to Lagos, recounted living in South Africa since 1998. He stated, “I'm leaving because of the conditions they've given us here. They say we must leave on or before 30th June. And because of the way they are killing people, killing our brothers, so I'm not safe.” Justin described being targeted, including an incident where he was attacked in a taxi, forcing him to abandon his belongings.
While no official figures on recent deaths from xenophobic violence have been released, police confirmed the killing of two Mozambican men in Western Cape province earlier this month, though a motive was not immediately provided. Mozambican authorities, however, have indicated a higher death toll among their citizens, attributing fatalities directly to xenophobia.
Migrants "Being Scapegoated"
Critics of migrants frequently blame them for South Africa's high unemployment rate and perceived strain on public services. However, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, Nigeria’s Consul General in South Africa, countered this narrative, asserting that migrants constitute less than 10% of the population and cannot be held responsible for systemic failures in education, healthcare, policing, or unemployment. “They are not and cannot be the problem. So, migrants are basically being scapegoated,” Okey-Uche stated.
A spokesperson for South Africa's Border Management Agency claimed that all passengers on the recent flight lacked valid documentation for legal residency. Okey-Uche acknowledged potential delays in processing applications as a factor contributing to individuals becoming undocumented, and urged South African authorities to act against those
