West African governments have begun repatriation flights for their citizens after a surge in anti-immigrant sentiment and violence in South Africa triggered public outrage and diplomatic rows across the continent.
Ghana repatriated around 300 citizens from Johannesburg to Accra this week, becoming the first African country to organise evacuations due to xenophobia and growing concerns about the safety of their nationals, with a second chartered flight expected on Sunday.
Nigeria, which has one of the largest expatriate communities in South Africa, has also begun preparing for evacuations. Foreign minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said 130 Nigerians had registered for repatriation flights so far, while the country’s senate described the attacks as “barbaric” and announced plans to send a delegation to Pretoria to discuss measures to safeguard Nigerians.