Nigeria returns 1,490 citizens threatened by xenophobia in South Africa

Mozambique repatriated 1363 citizens from South Africa as a result of outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence.

Government's Repatriation Efforts

A representative of the Council of Ministers, Inosensio Impissa, told journalists in Maputo that 1363 citizens have been returned since the start of xenophobic attacks. Between July 1 and 4, 625 people arrived in the country. The government is working to ensure the continuity of these citizens' work and is mapping their professions.

Arrival of Migrants from Malawi

Furthermore, Mozambique has received at least 6156 citizens from Malawi who were in transit and subsequently transported to the Tete province in central Mozambique, near the border with Malawi.

Assistance and Employment

The government stated that it is working on a certification process for the returned citizens to facilitate their employment abroad under labor mobility memorandums with countries such as Portugal and the United Arab Emirates. Mozambican President Daniel Chapo recently stated that the government is considering including victims of anti-immigrant violence in the country's current mega-projects, as well as in other overseas employment opportunities in accordance with international cooperation agreements to address employment issues.

Scale of Violence Impact

Approximately 300,000 Mozambican citizens currently reside in South Africa. The presidency reported in a statement that thousands of people have already returned to the country due to violence. In the latest wave of anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa, at least 283 Mozambicans were attacked, their homes were burned, and their property was looted.

The floods in Ghana have caused the death of at least 34 people and forced the displacement of 91,046 individuals. According to Richard Amo Yartey, director of inspections at NADMO, the Greater Accra region was the most severely impacted area, with about 56,000 people displaced.

Regional Impact of Floods

Besides Greater Accra, the Central region of the country recorded 21,882 displaced persons, while the Volta region, located in the east, had 8,534 residents who had to leave their homes.

Rescue Efforts and Government Support

Richard Amo Yartey informed that intensive aid is being provided in all affected regions, including the distribution of food and other essential supplies throughout the country. Additionally, the Director-General of Joint Operations of the Ghanaian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Okae-Yeboah, disclosed that the government allocated 350 million cedis, which corresponds to approximately 27 million euros, to support recovery, mitigation, and aid work for flood victims.

Meteorological Data and Flood History

The Ghana Meteorological Agency reported on Tuesday that Accra received 333 millimeters of rain in June. This volume is significantly higher than the 172 millimeters recorded in the same month last year and exceeds the 85 millimeters accumulated during 2024. It is relevant to note that in 2015, Accra faced similar floods, which culminated in the explosion of a gas station and resulted in 150 deaths.

A new statement issued by the Mozambique Information Office (Gabingo) reported on the return of more Mozambican citizens to their country due to violence directed at immigrants in South Africa. The arrival of another 65 nationals was expected by the end of the day, including 14 from Witbank, in the Mpumalanga province, as part of ongoing support and repatriation operations.

Situation in different provinces

Local authorities in the Western Cape province notified the Mozambique consulate in Cape Town about the presence of 48 Mozambican citizens, including four children, who expressed the intention to return to the country. Gabinfo also confirmed that citizens continue to be received at the Mozambique High Commission in Pretoria, covering those from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Gauteng, and other areas.

Assistance and challenges faced

Gabinfo detailed that the assistance and repatriation process continues for Mozambican citizens affected by acts of intimidation and violence in various provinces of the Republic of South Africa. In Gauteng, a Mozambican citizen who gave birth at the High Commission facilities was discharged with the newborn in good health, under the supervision of the authorities.

The institution also reported the persistence of vulnerability cases, where Mozambican citizens lost housing or were evicted from their workplaces due to increased persecution and migration inspection operations.

Government response and crisis context

Incidents of aggression against foreigners prompted the Mozambican Government to intensify both consular assistance and repatriation operations, maintaining constant monitoring through diplomatic and consular representations in South Africa. Anti-immigrant South African protesters imposed a deadline of June 30 for all foreigners to leave the country, while the South African government had announced restrictions on migration policies and enhanced security.

The Mozambican President, Daniel Chapo, acknowledged on Wednesday the worsening of xenophobia in South Africa, resulting from violent incidents involving Mozambicans, and assured that logistical means were available for the reception and repatriation of victims. The Government of Mozambique disclosed that, in the latest wave of xenophobic attacks, at least 283 Mozambicans suffered assaults, had their residences burned, and property vandalized. The following day, the Mozambican President reported that 38 Mozambican citizens legally residing in South Africa were assaulted and expelled from their homes.

It is currently estimated that Mozambique has about 300,000 citizens residing in South Africa, and the Presidency communicated that thousands have already returned to the country due to the violence.