Malawi Joins Countries Evacuating Their Citizens from South Africa as Xenophobia Complaints Rise

Lilongwe – The Malawi government has announced that it will soon begin a plan to repatriate its citizens wishing to leave South Africa, as complaints related to attacks and threats targeting African migrants living in the country continue to rise.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malawi indicated that the repatriation plan will be limited to citizens who have voluntarily requested assistance from the government to return to their home country. The ministry added that details of the operation, transportation, and travel schedules will be announced once the plan is finalized.

Malawi thus joins other African countries that have taken steps to safeguard their citizens in South Africa. These countries include Ghana, which last week repatriated hundreds of its citizens, and Mozambique, which has also begun evacuating its citizens after reports that five nationals were killed in violence in the coastal city of Mossel Bay.

The tension has escalated after local groups opposing immigration issued a call for undocumented foreigners to leave by June 30, creating fear among the foreign communities living in South Africa.

Attacks targeting foreigners have long been present in South Africa, where migrants are sometimes blamed for some of the economic challenges facing the country, such as unemployment and pressure on public services.

On the other hand, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that his government will take strong action against anyone involved in or inciting violence. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, he emphasized that while it is important to address issues related to illegal immigration, violence, hatred, and taking the law into one's own hands will not be tolerated.

South Africa, one of the largest economies on the African continent, still hosts millions of workers, refugees, and asylum seekers from neighboring countries and others experiencing conflict and instability, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.