Rising Anti-Migrant violence sparks fear among Somalis and other foreign nationals in South Africa

Somalis and other foreign nationals living in South Africa have expressed concern over escalating violence linked to growing anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly targeting undocumented migrants.

Over the past two days, protests that began on Thursday have reportedly involved the burning of vehicles and attacks on businesses owned by foreign nationals, according to various sources.

The South African government has deployed additional security forces to several parts of the country amid fears that protesters could regroup and launch further attacks.

South African security officials have called for additional equipment to be deployed to affected areas, including tear gas, net-carrying vehicles and high-pressure water cannons to disperse crowds.

Since the beginning of this year, anti-immigrant sentiment has reportedly intensified, with some opposition figures blaming foreign nationals, including undocumented migrants, for contributing to unemployment in the country.

The government and opposition figures had previously reached agreements aimed at preventing anticipated protests, which were subsequently called off. However, the latest outbreak of violence raises concerns that those agreements may no longer be holding.

Several Somali nationals have been killed in separate shootings this year, while other foreign nationals have also died amid recent anti-migrant violence.

Mustaqbal