Nigerian migrants flee South Africa after spike in xenophobic protests

Al Jazeera Johannesburg correspondent Fahmida Miller reported that following a Monday march by Operation Dudula in Pretoria, windows were smashed in migrant neighbourhoods and small businesses were vandalised. South African Police Service spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said six people had been injured, including one Nigerian national, one person suffered smoke inhalation in a fire, and 23 arrests had been made. Dudula leader Zandile Dabula said the group had given migrants until the end of June to leave.

Abuja's Foreign Ministry late Tuesday announced a $4 million consular emergency fund; evacuation flights are to start Friday. President Bola Tinubu posted on Twitter that he had sent a letter to South African authorities demanding the safety of Nigerian citizens. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a brief statement late Tuesday, condemned the violence and promised judicial action. The Constitutional Court said it may open emergency proceedings to consider calls for migrant expulsion.

Mohammed Abdiker, the International Organisation for Migration representative, said 3,700 Nigerians, 1,200 Zimbabweans and 800 Ethiopians had registered in Pretoria. African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the calls run counter to the continental free-movement protocol. UNHCR regional director Chansa Kapaya called for return guarantees and a humanitarian corridor.