Nigeria has begun evacuating its citizens from South Africa, joining a growing list of African countries pulling their nationals home amid rising anti-migrant violence in the country.
The move comes as reports of xenophobic attacks continue to surface across South Africa, with foreign nationals bearing the brunt of tensions that have simmered for years in communities already strained by unemployment and inequality.
Nigeria is not alone in this response. Several other African states have taken similar steps to repatriate their citizens, signaling a broader continental concern about the safety of migrants living in South Africa.
The situation raises urgent questions about the future of intra-African movement and solidarity, and whether South Africa's government will take stronger action to protect foreign nationals on its soil.
Originally published by BBC Africa.