Claim: Ghana and Nigeria just airlifted their citizens out of South Africa
Source: U.S. Department of State – Bureau of African Affairs
Verdict: Mixture
Researched by Lara Zofio
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs has claimed that Ghana and Nigeria recently evacuated citizens from South Africa amid a wave of xenophobic marches and violence in the southern African country.
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The Bureau of African Affairs’ verified account on X was responding to a comment by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, where the minister took a swipe at the American government: “We know that in the US, the MAGA movement is very clear to attack black people. We know what they stand for. They stand against human rights,” Lamola said during a statement in Parliament.
In response to Lamola, the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs posted a May 28, 2026 reply on X outlining alleged sociopolitical issues in South Africa. Among its points, it stated that Ghana and Nigeria had recently “airlifted their citizens” out of the country.
The Bureau of African Affairs is the US government department focused on “the development and management of U.S. policy toward the African continent,” and its account has over 182,000 followers. Its post has reached 1,000 shares, 2,000 likes, and 680 comments at the time of writing this piece.
In this fact-check, we will confirm whether Ghana and Nigeria had evacuated citizens from South Africa at the time the post was made.
Fact-check
A recent wave of anti-foreigner protests in South Africa has raised safety concerns among Ghanaians, Nigerians, and other African nationals in the country. The protests, widely reported by local (here, here) and international media (here, here), began in April and have continued since. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights confirmed in late April that the events included “incidents of xenophobic violence perpetrated against nationals of other African countries”.
The protesters are demanding that illegal immigrants leave the country before June 30, 2026.
Have Ghanaians been “airlifted” from South Africa?
The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria in late April advised Ghanaians in South Africa to be cautious (here), and announced emergency contact numbers (here) as well as publishing several warnings (here, here and here) about anti-immigration demonstrations.
On May 12, 2026, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on X, announced a presidential approval “for the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa.”
On Wednesday May 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed formal evacuation of around 300 Ghanaians on a chartered Ethiopian Airlines flight from Johannesburg.
Local media outlets including Joy News, GTV Ghana and TV3 Ghana; and international media like Reuters, BBC, The New York Times reported about the evacuation.
Plans to evacuate more Ghanaians were subsequently announced on May 30, when the Minister confirmed that approximately 600 additional Ghanaian nationals had registered with the High Commission for evacuation.
Have Nigerians been “airlifted” from South Africa?
The Nigerian government in an April 27 press release, while congratulating South Africa on its Freedom Day urged the government to: “protect the lives and prosperity of foreigners from other African countries currently residing in its territory.”
During this period, the Foreign Affairs Ministry issued several statements on the situation (here and here), expressing concern and outlining ongoing coordination with South African authorities. However, none of these communications explicitly announced evacuation plans.
Moreover, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deaths of two Nigerian nationals, “following alleged assaults while in the custody of South African security agencies”. Although the Minister stated these incidents were unrelated to the protests.
On May 3rd, the Minister announced the evacuation plans: “arrangements are currently underway to collate details of Nigerians in South Africa for voluntary repatriation flights for those seeking assistance to return home. So far 130 applicants have duly registered for the exercise with our mission in S.A, but this figure is expected to rise.”
On May 4th this was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa. And the plans were reaffirmed again on May 7th by the Minister on an X post.
Lastly, on May 26, Benjamin Quarshie, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, said on Joy TV , while discussing the repatriation of African nationals from South Africa: “I’m aware that Nigeria will be evacuating their citizens also next week.”
However, on May 28, the day the US government account put up its post on X, there was no record of any evacuation of Nigerians having taken place. As of today, June 8, none has occurred, despite the announcement of evacuation plans. Therefore, the claim that Nigeria has evacuated citizens is False.
FactSpace West Africa has reached out to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask about the return date for Nigerians, but at the time of publication, we had not received a response.
Verdict:
While Ghana has evacuated citizens, Nigeria has not; hence the claim by the US Bureau of African Affairs is rated a Mixture.
