Several African countries are organizing the return of their citizens after new attacks against foreigners.

In South Africa, Malawian nationals are waiting to be repatriated after a new wave of xenophobic violence. For several weeks, foreigners have claimed to have fled their homes or businesses under pressure from groups hostile to immigration.

The situation affects several African communities residing in the country. Citizens of Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, and Mozambique have been affected by organized departures or requests for evacuation.

Displaced families

In some areas, families have fled their neighborhoods for fear of being targeted. Displaced Malawians in the Southern Cape province have already left the country by bus, while others are still waiting for a solution to return home.

The accounts describe a climate of tension fueled by anti-immigrant rhetoric, with some groups accusing them of taking jobs or living without proper documentation. As is often the case in this type of crisis, the most vulnerable people are the first to be affected.

An old problem that keeps coming back

South Africa has already experienced several episodes of xenophobic violence in recent years. Attacks against African nationals regularly cause diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries, especially when victims require urgent evacuation.

The forced return of these families also raises a difficult question: many had built their lives in South Africa, sometimes over several years. Returning in such an emergency often means abandoning a job, possessions, or a portion of their stability.

For the authorities of the countries concerned, the challenge is now twofold. They must protect their citizens in danger, while preventing the crisis from escalating into a deeper rift with Pretoria.

This new wave serves as a stark reminder that migration remains one of the most sensitive issues in Southern Africa. As long as fear and insecurity continue to fuel tensions, calls for calm are unlikely to be enough.