Ghana to repatriate 300 citizens after xenophobic incidents in South Africa

Lead

Ghana has initiated the evacuation of about 300 of its citizens from South Africa following a wave of anti-immigrant protests and reports of attacks on foreign nationals. The first flight carrying evacuees landed in Accra on 28 May, where returnees received reintegration support and transport assistance, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The decision, approved by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, comes after the country's Foreign Ministry issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to South Africa. The advisory, reported by AllAfrica, cited increasing xenophobic attacks against African nationals, resulting in injuries, looting, destruction of property, and the closure of businesses owned by Africans.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the evacuation has been consistent across several outlets, though their emphases differ. Africa News focused on the criticism of Ghana's move by Julius Malema, leader of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, while also covering the evacuation itself. Al Jazeera provided neutral coverage of the repatriation and the welcome extended to returnees in Accra. AllAfrica highlighted the fear and intimidation felt by Ghanaians, quoting Ghana's High Commissioner, and detailed the government's travel advisory and diplomatic interventions. RFI — English reported the evacuation alongside South Africa's denial of xenophobia, quoting presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya.

Key claims

Evacuation details

According to multiple reports, Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced on Tuesday that President Mahama had approved the “immediate evacuation” of 300 Ghanaians. The affected individuals had previously registered with Ghana's High Commission in Pretoria, complying with the Foreign Ministry's advisory. Ablakwa described them as “distressed” Ghanaians seeking rescue after the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.

Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said 826 Ghanaians had registered to return home. He noted that more than 16,000 Ghanaians live in South Africa, most legally, but many no longer feel safe. Quashie said the evacuation was triggered by growing tension and intimidation linked to anti-migrant protests in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, led by the pressure group March and March, which has demanded that foreigners leave South Africa by the end of June.

South Africa's response

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied that the country is xenophobic, saying the recent attacks on foreign nationals do not reflect the views of the government or broader society. In his weekly newsletter, he condemned the protests and criminal acts targeting foreigners, warning that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands. He acknowledged concern over undocumented migration and said there was a need to “deal decisively” with illegal immigration within the confines of the law, according to multiple sources.

Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya echoed this, stating: “South Africans are not xenophobic. What you have is pockets of protest, which is permissible within our constitutional framework.”

Diplomatic and other actions

Ghana's government has initiated several diplomatic measures, including lodging formal protests, summoning the South African Acting High Commissioner in Accra, and petitioning the African Union. Nigeria has also expressed concerns over the treatment of its citizens and, along with Ghana, summoned South African envoys, as reported by multiple outlets.

Malema's criticism

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, criticized Ghana's evacuation decision, questioning its timing and saying it risked escalating tensions. “The Ghana response was not necessary at that moment,” he said, according to Africa News. “It creates a perception that we are all like that.” Malema argued that Ghana should have allowed South African authorities more time to handle the situation through dialogue and law enforcement.

Perspectives

• Ghanaian government: The evacuation is a protective measure for citizens facing xenophobic attacks, as outlined in official statements and advisories.
• South African government: Denies xenophobia, framing the incidents as isolated criminal acts and labelling some videos as fake.
• Julius Malema (EFF): Criticizes Ghana's evacuation as premature and counterproductive, urging reliance on diplomatic engagement and law enforcement.
• Ghanaian High Commissioner: Reports that migrants are living in fear and describes the attacks as xenophobic, supporting the need for evacuation.