Nigeria evacuates citizens from South Africa as anti-migrant sentiment rises

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Nigeria evacuates citizens from South Africa as anti-migrant sentiment rises1 hour ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleMayeni JonesBBC Africa Correspondent, JohannesburgReutersMany African migrants are living in fear in South AfricaNigeria has become the latest African state to repatriate some of its citizens from South Africa following a rise in anti-migrant sentiments in the country. A flight carrying 268 Nigerians has landed in Lagos after leaving Johannesburg on Thursday morning. The passengers were part of around 1,000 people who the Nigerian consulate in South Africa says have registered to be repatriated.

Ghana, Zimbabwe and Malawi have already carried out evacuations, ahead of a 30 June deadline set by some campaigners for undocumented migrants to leave. Many people from other parts of Africa moved to South Africa around the time white-minority rule ended in 1994, hoping for a better life. But with South Africa facing an unemployment rate of more than 30%, anti-migrant sentiments have risen, with protest marches being held in major cities and people facing xenophobic attacks.

The Details

At the main international airport in Johannesburg, Justin, one of the Nigerian passengers, told the that he had lived in South Africa since 1998. "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 said. Justin told the that he had already been targeted. "Recently they attacked me in a taxi.

I ran away and left my things. I left my phone and everything. "They call us names and say you must leave this country.

What Experts Say

When we tried to beg them, they started insulting us. "There have been no official figures regarding the number of deaths caused by xenophobic violence in recent weeks. The police have said two Mozambican men were killed in Western Cape province earlier this month but have not given a motive.

The Mozambican authorities said the death toll was higher, and their citizens have been killed as a result of xenophobia. 'We have to prioritise South Africans': Anti-migrant movement blocks foreigners from healthcareSome of the protesters have pointed the finger at migrants for South Africa's high unemployment rate, and putting pressure on public services like schools and hospitals. However, Nigeria's Consul General in South Africa, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, told the that migrants were not the problem.

She said migrants made up less than 10% of South Africa's population, and could not be "blamed for broken systems in education, health care, policing, unemployment". "They are not and cannot be the problem. So, migrants are basically being scapegoated," Okey-Uche added.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.