The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued an urgent advisory for British citizens in South Africa to depart immediately, as anti-immigrant demonstrations in Ghana escalate into regional unrest. The protests, initially concentrated in Accra, have spread to Johannesburg and Cape Town, with reports of mob violence targeting foreign-owned businesses and residences.
The advisory, issued late Tuesday, cites 'credible intelligence of imminent threats to British nationals' and recommends commercial flights while they remain available. The High Commission in Pretoria has suspended non-consular services and is coordinating emergency travel documents for those unable to leave.
The unrest stems from a series of xenophobic attacks in Ghana over the past week, which have killed at least 12 people and displaced thousands. Ghanaian authorities have struggled to contain the violence, with police reportedly overwhelmed in several districts. The protests have since taken on a broader anti-immigrant character, with demonstrators calling for the expulsion of all foreign workers.
South Africa, home to an estimated 200,000 British expatriates, has seen a sharp increase in tensions. In Johannesburg's central business district, shops owned by Nigerian and Somali nationals have been looted, and several vehicles set alight. The South African government has deployed additional police units to affected areas but has stopped short of declaring a state of emergency.
The British advisory follows similar warnings from the United States and Australia. Analysts suggest the protests reflect deeper economic anxieties, with high unemployment and inflation fuelling resentment against migrant communities. Ghana, one of West Africa's most stable democracies, has seen its currency depreciate by 30% this year, while South Africa faces its highest unemployment rate in a decade.
The regional bloc ECOWAS has called for an emergency meeting, but diplomatic efforts have yet to yield results. British nationals seeking assistance are advised to contact the High Commission's 24-hour helpline or register with the FCO's Travel Advice service.
The situation remains fluid, and further escalation cannot be ruled out. The FCO advises against all travel to the protest areas and urges those in South Africa to prioritise their safety.
