Ghanaian authorities are repatriating the first group of 800 citizens from South Africa, with 300 departing Wednesday morning from Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport. The move follows weeks of anti-immigrant protests in South African cities, organized by the group March and March, which demands stricter immigration enforcement.
Rudolph, a Ghanaian who has lived in South Africa for 10 years and runs a salon, told the BBC he was leaving because of the protests: "It's not comfortable for us to stay here anymore... I think we will find peace at home." He fears violence could escalate before the June 30 deadline set by protest organizers for illegal immigrants to leave.
Ghanaian High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie stated the government is acting to ensure citizens' safety and has a reintegration strategy for returnees. Analysts link the renewed anti-migrant sentiment to local elections scheduled for November. South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence, with 12 killed in 2019 and 62 in 2008.