The Nigerian government has finalised arrangements to evacuate the first batch of its citizens from South Africa following reports of attacks on foreign nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday, 9 June. The evacuees are set to depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night and are expected to land in Lagos early Thursday.

Key Developments

Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed that the Nigerian government will fully fund the evacuation, with no costs borne by the returnees. The exact number of people in the first batch has not been disclosed. Relevant ministries, departments, and agencies have been directed to receive and support the evacuees upon arrival.

'Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling and will receive necessary assistance before being reunited with their families,' Ebienfa said.

The Anti-Immigration Crisis in South Africa

South Africa has recently witnessed a surge in anti-immigration demonstrations, with organisers citing high domestic unemployment, rising crime rates, and pressure on public infrastructure as primary grievances. Some anti-immigration groups have set 30 June as a deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, threatening nationwide protests if their demands are not met.

The situation has drawn concern across the continent, with several African nations reportedly raising the issue with the South African government through diplomatic channels.

Regional Response: Ghana's Earlier Evacuation

Nigeria's move follows a similar step by Ghana, which evacuated 300 citizens from South Africa last month amid concerns over xenophobic attacks. Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who received the returnees at the airport, noted that the group included 26 citizens who had been imprisoned in South Africa for visa-related offences. Ghana has also requested that the African Union debate what it describes as 'xenophobic attacks' against African nationals in South Africa at the upcoming African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit in June.

What the South African Government Has Said

In May, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged both citizens and foreign nationals to respect the rule of law as the government intensified efforts to address illegal migration. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa condemned violent protests and criminal acts targeting foreign nationals, stating such actions did not reflect the views of South Africans or government policy.

'These are the acts of opportunists who are exploiting the legitimate grievances, particularly those of the poor, under the false guise of community activism,' Ramaphosa said.

What Happens Next

With the 30 June anti-immigration deadline looming and multiple African governments now engaging South Africa diplomatically, pressure on Pretoria to contain the violence is mounting. The African Union debate, if scheduled, could further internationalise a crisis that has already triggered two government-funded evacuations within weeks.