Nigeria to airlift citizens out of South Africa as xenophobic attacks flare up again

Nigeria is reportedly preparing to evacuate its citizens from South Africa following a fresh wave of anti-immigration violence, according to reporting from France 24. The move signals growing alarm in Abuja over the safety of Nigerians caught in the crosshairs of what has become an unfortunately recurring pattern of xenophobic unrest in South Africa.

Not again, South Africa

Anti-immigration sentiment in South Africa is not new - the country has seen repeated waves of violence targeting foreign nationals, particularly from other African nations. Nigeria, which has one of the largest diaspora communities in South Africa, has previously clashed diplomatically with Pretoria over the treatment of its citizens. This latest round of protests and attacks appears to have pushed Lagos to its limit, with the Nigerian government now reportedly moving to physically bring its people home rather than wait for diplomatic assurances.

Drones, drama, and diplomatic finger-pointing in Sudan

Meanwhile, Sudan is having an extremely bad week. The country is ramping up accusations against both Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates following a series of drone strikes, including a particularly alarming attack on Khartoum's airport. Sudan claims the drones originated from Ethiopia and were supplied by the UAE - a charge that, if confirmed, would represent a serious escalation in an already deeply unstable region. France 24 reports the accusations but notes these remain claims made by Sudanese authorities, and independent verification of the drone origins has not been established.

The UAE has previously been accused of involvement in various regional conflicts across Africa and the Middle East, and the allegations will likely add more fuel to an already combustible diplomatic situation in the Horn of Africa.

Paris says oui to Nollywood

On a considerably lighter note, Paris is once again rolling out the beret-wearing welcome mat for African cinema as the NollywoodWeek Film Festival returns this week. The annual event, held in the French capital, celebrates Nigerian and broader African film, giving Nollywood - the world's second-largest film industry by volume, lest anyone forget - a European stage to shine on. Consider it the one piece of genuinely good news in tonight's continental roundup.

Source: France 24, Eye on Africa, May 5 2026.