Nigeria has begun repatriating hundreds of its citizens from South Africa following a surge in violent anti-immigrant protests. Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu accused the South African government of failing to forcefully condemn attacks on Nigerians, straining bilateral ties.

At least two Nigerian men were killed in April: Amaramiro Emmanuel was beaten to death by South African soldiers, and Ekpenyong Andrew died in custody. The minister claimed Nigerians with legal status are being harassed, their businesses looted, and children kept from school.

Nigeria is considering retaliatory measures, though specifics remain undisclosed. Past incidents saw attacks on South African businesses in Nigeria. Police have warned against reprisals.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced new measures to tackle illegal migration, including prison terms for employers of undocumented workers, fast-track deportation courts, and a biometric registry. He cautioned against xenophobia, stating migration is not the root of all economic problems.

Xenophobic violence has erupted in waves since 2008, with dozens killed. The current protests, led by groups like March and March, target undocumented migrants but rights groups report attacks on all foreigners regardless of status.

Ghana and Mozambique have also repatriated citizens. Social media posts set a June 30 deadline for irregular migrants to leave, with some threatening bloodshed. The government has not endorsed this deadline.

Source: www.aljazeera.com