Ghana says it will evacuate about 300 of its citizens from South Africa following growing concerns over anti-immigrant protests and reports of harassment targeting foreign nationals.
Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced on X that President John Mahama had approved the “immediate evacuation” of citizens who had registered with Ghana’s embassy in Pretoria seeking assistance.
Ablakwa said the evacuees were “distressed” Ghanaians responding to a foreign ministry advisory issued after what he described as a “latest wave of xenophobic attacks.”
South Africa Rejects Claims of Widespread Attacks
South African authorities have denied reports of widespread violence against foreign nationals, insisting that many videos circulating online were fabricated or misleading.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said Monday that recent “protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals” did not represent government policy and described them as “isolated acts of criminality.”
He added that South Africa remained committed to enforcing immigration laws while also protecting public order.
Protests Over Illegal Immigration
The tensions follow demonstrations in several South African cities where protesters demanded the deportation of undocumented migrants, arguing that illegal immigration contributes to unemployment, crime, and housing shortages.
Ahead of a planned protest in Durban on Wednesday, Ghana’s embassy urged its citizens to remain cautious, avoid public gatherings, and temporarily close shops and businesses in affected areas.
Diplomatic Pressure Mounts
Ghana and Nigeria have both summoned South African envoys over concerns about the treatment of their citizens.
Ghana has also asked the African Union to discuss the issue, warning that the situation poses a “serious risk to the safety and wellbeing” of Africans living in South Africa.
South Africa has maintained that it has “nothing to hide” and has condemned the spread of what it called “fake videos and images” allegedly depicting attacks on foreign nationals.
Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe have also advised their citizens in South Africa to remain vigilant.
Longstanding Xenophobia Concerns
South Africa has long struggled with tensions surrounding immigration, with periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the years.
Official figures estimate that more than three million foreign nationals live in South Africa, representing roughly 5% of the population, though the true number is believed to be significantly higher due to undocumented migration.
