1,000+ Nigerians Register for Return from South Africa

More than 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa have registered for a voluntary repatriation program as fears of xenophobic violence intensify. Screening for the program began this week, with officials expecting the final number of participants to exceed one thousand. The move follows similar repatriation efforts by Ghana and comes amid a surge in protests and threats targeting foreign nationals across South Africa.

The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria announced it had negotiated waivers with South African authorities, allowing individuals with immigration-related offenses, such as overstaying visas, to depart without facing detention. However, those facing criminal charges will not be eligible to leave. Foreign ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed the process, stating the total figure was not yet final but that over a thousand persons were expected.

This exodus is driven by a recent escalation in anti-immigrant sentiment. In recent weeks, protesters have accused foreign nationals of committing crimes and taking jobs in a country grappling with an unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent. Some demonstrations have turned violent, with reports of mobs going door-to-door...