Ghana Evacuates 300 Citizens From South Africa After Xenophobic Attacks

Ghana announced it would evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa after a wave of xenophobic attacks targeting migrants from other sub-Saharan African countries, with Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa posting on X that those set for evacuation had registered for assistance with the Ghana High Commission.

“- Published Ghana says it will evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa following a recent wave of protests against foreign nationals”

BBC

The TimesLIVE account says Ghana president John Mahama approved the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaian citizens living in South Africa, and Ablakwa said the “distressed Ghanaians had earlier complied with the Foreign Ministry’s advisory and registered with our High Commission in Pretoria to be rescued following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.”

BBC

BBC reporting also ties the move to Ablakwa’s X post that the Ghanaian president had granted approval for their “immediate evacuation,” after the foreign ministry advisory following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.

The BBC adds that the Ghanaian embassy in South Africa advised nationals to be highly cautious and prioritise their safety by avoiding public gatherings and shut their shops or businesses in the port city of Durban ahead of a protest planned on Wednesday.

South Africa’s presidency spokesman Vincent Magwenya rejected the xenophobia framing, telling reporters last week, “South Africans are not xenophobic,” and saying “What you have is pockets of protest, which is permissible within our constitutional framework.”

The BBC reports that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the recent “protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals” did not reflect government policy, describing them as “isolated acts of criminality.”

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In the BBC account, South African authorities denied that anyone had been attacked and said widely circulated videos were fake, while the government condemned the circulation of what it called “fake videos and images.”

The BBC also says Ghana and Nigeria have recently summoned South African envoys to their respective countries over the mistreatment and harassment of their citizens, and Ghana wrote to the African Union asking it to discuss the issue, saying it posed a “serious risk to the safety and wellbeing” of Africans in South Africa.

Ghana’s evacuation plan sits alongside warnings from other African nations, with the BBC saying other countries that have warned their citizens in South Africa include Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

“✕ Home News Analysis Agro-Forestry Art & Culture Technology Economy & Business Education Energy & Extractives Politics Law & Governance Health Science & Environment Social & Gender Sports Transport Urban Development WASH Research LogIn/SignUp Close the sidebar Ghana to Evacuate Citizens Amidst South Africa's Xenophobic Violence Ghana plans to evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa due to escalating xenophobic attacks against migrants from sub-Saharan African countries”

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The BBC reports that the Ghanaian embassy advised nationals to avoid public gatherings and shut shops or businesses in Durban ahead of a protest planned on Wednesday, while South Africa said it had “nothing to hide” in response to Ghana’s request to the African Union.

Nigeria’s position is reflected in the Reuters-based accounts, with the EastAfrican saying Nigeria says at least 130 of its citizens have requested evacuation, and Voice of Nigeria repeating that Nigeria has said at least 130 citizens have asked to be flown home.

The BBC also places the dispute in a broader context of migration and protest, noting that thousands of South Africans joined protests against illegal immigration demanding the mass deportation of undocumented foreign nationals and that protesters say illegal immigration has had an impact on jobs, housing and crime.