Nigeria has announced a voluntary repatriation program for its citizens in South Africa, following a series of xenophobic incidents in the continent's most industrialized nation. Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated on Sunday that 130 people had already registered to return home, with numbers expected to rise.

The minister emphasized that Nigerian lives and businesses in South Africa must not continue to be put at risk. Last month, two Nigerians were killed in incidents linked to South African security personnel, according to Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

South Africa has seen an uptick in anti-immigrant rhetoric in recent months, with protests led by groups claiming irregular migration harms the economy. Violent attacks have been reported, primarily targeting Black Africans from other countries.

Experts warn that immigrants are being scapegoated for South Africa's economic woes, with anti-migrant fervor driven by populist pundits online. According to South Africa's national statistics agency, there are approximately 3 million immigrants in the country, about 5% of the population, mostly from the SADC bloc.

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said he spoke with his Nigerian counterpart and they committed to addressing the root causes of irregular migration. Nigeria's Foreign Ministry stated that South Africa's high commissioner in Abuja would hold talks with Nigerian representatives on Monday to discuss documented mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses.

South Africa is set to hold elections on November 4. Odumegwu-Ojukwu blamed opposition parties for stoking xenophobic rhetoric to garner votes. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia condemned the anti-migrant violence, stating that acts of xenophobia, violence, looting, or intimidation will not be tolerated.

Source: www.dw.com