The Nigerian government has begun the voluntary evacuation of its citizens from South Africa, following a wave of xenophobic attacks that have claimed at least five lives and forced hundreds to flee their homes. The United Kingdom has condemned the violence, urging South African authorities to restore order and protect foreign nationals.
The evacuation, announced by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, is being coordinated with Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier, which will operate flights from Johannesburg to Lagos. The move comes after days of unrest in Johannesburg and Pretoria, where shops and residences owned by Nigerian and other African immigrants have been looted and set ablaze.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab expressed his concern, stating: “The UK condemns the recent violent attacks in South Africa. We call on the South African government to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of all citizens and residents. This violence has no place in a democratic society. People must be able to live without fear of persecution based on their nationality or ethnicity.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks, which have also targeted businesses owned by Somalis, Ethiopians, and Pakistanis. Speaking on Tuesday, he said: “We cannot allow a handful of criminals to destroy the reputation of our country. The police have been instructed to take firm action against those responsible.”
However, critics argue that the government’s response has been too slow. South Africa has a long history of xenophobic violence, often blamed on high unemployment and inequality, with foreigners being scapegoated for economic hardships. The latest unrest began when a taxi driver was allegedly killed by a Nigerian drug dealer, though police have not confirmed this narrative.
Nigeria has also summoned South Africa’s ambassador in Abuja to formally protest the attacks. President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched a special envoy to meet with Ramaphosa, and is considering further economic retaliation. This includes potentially severing diplomatic ties or imposing sanctions, though such measures are seen as unlikely given the interdependence of the two largest economies on the continent.
The evacuation operation is expected to repatriate up to 600 Nigerians who have registered for assistance. The Nigerian government has said it will cover the cost of flights and provide temporary accommodation for returnees. However, many Nigerians in South Africa have expressed reluctance to leave their livelihoods behind.
The African Union has also weighed in, with its chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat calling for an end to the violence and urging South Africa to protect all migrants. “The African Union stands in solidarity with the victims of these attacks and calls for calm and dialogue,” he said in a statement.
The crisis has strained relations between Nigeria and South Africa, two countries often seen as rivals for influence on the continent. Analysts suggest that the diplomatic fallout could have broader implications for regional stability, particularly within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The UK’s intervention, while welcomed by human rights groups, has been met with some criticism in South Africa, where officials have been accused of failing to curb the violence. The British High Commission in Pretoria has advised its own citizens to exercise caution, while the US Embassy has issued a similar warning.
As the evacuation proceeds, the international community watches closely for further developments. The underlying causes of xenophobia in South Africa remain unaddressed, and without meaningful action from the government, the cycle of violence is likely to continue.
