Nigeria has begun the evacuation of its nationals from South Africa following a surge in anti-migrant violence that has left dozens injured and raised concerns about the stability of diplomatic ties within the Commonwealth. The Nigerian government chartered flights from Johannesburg on Monday, prioritising the most vulnerable evacuees, as mobs targeted foreign-owned businesses in several townships. The South African authorities have deployed additional police to affected areas but have struggled to contain the unrest, which has been fuelled by rhetoric from local politicians blaming migrants for unemployment and crime.
The evacuation represents a significant deterioration in relations between Africa's two largest economies. Nigeria's foreign ministry condemned the attacks as "mindless xenophobia"
and summoned the South African ambassador for talks. The Commonwealth, which counts both nations as prominent members, faces renewed questions about its ability to manage intra-member disputes. Analysts suggest that the crisis could undermine efforts to boost intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which was launched this year.
Meanwhile, the South African government has pledged to compensate affected businesses and prosecute those responsible for the violence. However, with elections looming, the political calculus may complicate efforts to quell the unrest without alienating nationalist voters. The evacuation is expected to continue over the coming days, with further flights scheduled as conditions permit.
