Malawians repatriated from South Africa amid xenophobia concerns

Malawi, along with other African nations, is repatriating citizens from South Africa due to concerns over xenophobia and reported violence against migrants. Ghana recently organized flights for nearly 300 and then another 680 citizens returning from Johannesburg. South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola disputed claims made by Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa regarding the deaths and hospitalizations of Ghanaians due to attacks, stating his government had no information to support these reports. Ghana's minister expressed pride in his country's solidarity and reiterated a call for the African Union to investigate the situation. Nigeria has postponed its first planned evacuation flight for 270 citizens.

African migrants in South Africa are experiencing "extreme fear" due to a surge in anti-immigration sentiment, fueled by recent marches organized by groups like March & March. These campaigns, which have given undocumented immigrants an ultimatum to leave by June 30, have reignited xenophobic tensions. The violence has led to deaths, with Mozambique reporting five citizens killed in late May, and some migrants seeking shelter and government assistance to return home. This backlash is occurring amidst high unemployment and economic hardship in South Africa, with some political parties leveraging the issue for electoral gain. While President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged concerns about illegal immigration and promised a crackdown, he has also warned against lawlessness.