In response<\/a> 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 \u201cairlifted their citizens\u201d out of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bureau of African Affairs<\/a> is the US government department focused on \u201cthe development and management of U.S. policy toward the African continent,\u201d 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. <\/p>\n\n\n In this fact-check, we will confirm whether Ghana and Nigeria had evacuated citizens from South Africa at the time the post was made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>, here<\/a>) and international media (here<\/a>, here<\/a>), began in April and have continued since. The African Commission on Human and Peoples\u2019 Rights<\/a> confirmed in late April that the events included “incidents of xenophobic violence perpetrated against nationals of other African countries\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The protesters are demanding that illegal immigrants leave the country before June 30, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria in late April advised Ghanaians in South Africa to be cautious (here<\/a>), and announced emergency contact numbers (here<\/a>) as well as publishing several warnings (here<\/a>, here<\/a> and here<\/a>) about anti-immigration demonstrations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On May 12, 2026, Ghana\u2019s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on X, announced a presidential approval<\/a> \u201cfor the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians in South Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Wednesday May 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs<\/a> confirmed formal evacuation of around 300 Ghanaians on a chartered Ethiopian Airlines flight from Johannesburg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Local media outlets including Joy News<\/a>, GTV Ghana<\/a> and TV3 Ghana<\/a>; and international media like Reuters<\/a>, BBC<\/a>, The New York Times<\/a> reported about the evacuation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/enspirefx.com\/royale\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-703x1024.png\" "\\"\\"")
Fact-check <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Have Ghanaians been \u201cairlifted\u201d from South Africa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n