Nigeria completes evacuation of 1,490 citizens from South Africa amid xenophobic violence
via SeneNews6 min read
Nigeria has concluded the evacuation of 1,490 of its citizens from South Africa due to a wave of xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant protests. Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the operation was coordinated with several agencies, including Nigeria's High Commission in Pretoria and the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg, as well as Air Peace and South African Airways. The repatriations, which occurred between June and July, were in response to ongoing security concerns for foreign nationals. Other African countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, have also repatriated their citizens. Malawi reported repatriating 38,000 citizens in one month, and Zimbabwe 21,300. Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had previously stated that the situation for foreign nationals in South Africa was deteriorating and called for investigations into the deaths of two Nigerians, which she attributed to the anti-immigrant campaign. However, South African police stated these deaths were not linked to the protests. The violence has resulted in at least four deaths: two Mozambicans, one Malawian, and one Ethiopian, alongside looting and arson.
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Must ReadMansour Faye, brother-in-law of former President Macky Sall, has commented on Sall's return to Senegal after several months abroad. Sall arrived in Dakar this afternoon on a private jet, marking his first return to the country since leaving office. His visit is part of a diplomatic campaign for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. During his time in Dakar, the former head of state is scheduled to meet with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Presidential Palace. Following his stay in Senegal, Macky Sall plans to continue his tour with visits to Gambia and Morocco, where further meetings are anticipated to bolster his UN candidacy.
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