SIHMA Press Review for November 2025
Africa
Egypt ramps up Sudanese refugee deportations with little UNHCR pushback
The New Humanitarian
4 December 2025
Egypt has intensified deportations of Sudanese refugees, with thousands detained and expelled despite holding UNHCR documents, which authorities often confiscate to strip legal protections. Rights groups say over 20,000 were deported in 2024, and local organisations report record numbers in 2025. Critics accuse UNHCR of avoiding confrontation due to pressure from Egypt and European donors, while the EU’s migration deal is seen as enabling abuses. Refugees face shrinking protection, forced “voluntary” returns, and dangerous onward journeys to Libya and Europe.
Forty-two migrants presumed dead after shipwreck near Libya: UN
Aljazeera
12 November 2025
Forty-two migrants, mostly from Sudan, Somalia, Cameroon, and Nigeria, are missing and presumed dead after their overcrowded rubber boat capsized off Libya’s coast on November 3, leaving only seven survivors rescued days later. The tragedy adds to more than 1,000 migrant deaths in the central Mediterranean this year, underscoring what the IOM calls an urgent need for safer migration pathways and stronger regional cooperation. It comes amid mounting criticism of Libya’s coastguard, accused of violence, abandonment at sea, and obstructing rescues, with European NGOs suspending cooperation over rights violations. Libya remains a key transit hub, hosting over 867,000 asylum seekers and refugees, where rights groups report widespread abuse including torture, rape, and extortion.
Officials intensify clampdown on irregular migration, rescues 36 victims
Business Day
11 November 2025
The Nigeria Immigration Service stopped 294 Nigerians without valid documents from leaving and denied entry to 332 migrants at the Seme border, rescuing 36 trafficking victims. Comptroller General Kemi Nandap outlined a strategy of stronger laws, awareness campaigns, and inter-agency collaboration, noting over 577,200 youths sensitised this year. Recent CCTV‑aided operations highlight the scale of irregular migration, with Nandap urging a coordinated national response guided by protection, accountability, and human dignity.
Southern Africa
Eswatini got $5.1m from US to accept third-country deportees
The East African
18 November 2025
Eswatini confirmed receiving $5.1 million from the U.S. to accept deportees, with 15 men flown in since July and held without charge in a maximum‑security prison. The deal, revealed by Human Rights Watch, aimed to boost migration management, but parliament was kept in the dark and civil groups are challenging the detentions. Questions remain over who signed the agreement in the kingdom, ruled by King Mswati III and long criticized for human rights abuses.
Thousands of Migrants Facing Danger and Uncertainty on the Eastern Southern Africa Route New Report Find
IOM
13 November 2025
The International Organization for Migration’s Regional Data Hub has released its first quantitative report on migration along the Eastern Southern Africa Route, which links the Horn of Africa to Southern Africa with South Africa as the main destination. Covering January–June 2025, the report tracked about 4,900 movements from Ethiopia via Moyale a 35% drop from 2024, while noting at least 300 migrants, mostly Ethiopians, were apprehended in countries along the route. It highlights severe risks including trafficking, smuggling, and unsafe transit conditions, with 17% of migrants being children and 85% under 30. The report also shows Nairobi emerging as a growing destination, Mozambique recording 32,000 movements, and Zimbabwe over 81,000, largely toward South Africa for economic reasons. IOM stresses the urgent need for stronger regional cooperation to ensure safe and dignified migration, with ongoing monitoring and future reports planned, supported by Denmark and the EU.
Forced Displacement Survey – Zambia 2025
UNHCR
November 2025
Zambia has become the fourth country to implement UNHCR’s Forced Displacement Survey (FDS), a flagship programme launched jointly with ZamStats, the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees, and supported by the EU. Conducted in 2025, the survey gathered socio-economic data from over 4,000 households—including refugees, former refugees, and host communities to provide evidence for inclusive policymaking under Zambia’s 2023 National Refugee Policy. The findings aim to guide government and partners in extending development programmes to refugee-hosting areas, transforming settlements into economic hubs, and tracking progress on refugee inclusion in national systems.
Link: https://www.unhcr.org/publications/forced-displacement-survey-zambia-2025
South Africa
Operation Dudula to protest at G20 Summit over illegal immigration
SABC News
21 November 2025
Operation Dudula announced plans to stage a peaceful protest near Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre during the G20 Summit, aiming to draw global leaders’ attention to South Africa’s challenges with illegal immigration. The group, led by President Zandile Dabula, says it will not disrupt proceedings but wants the issue of immigration included in summit discussions, arguing that undocumented migrants contribute to unemployment, crime, and strained access to services. Dabula emphasized that the protest seeks to pressure President Cyril Ramaphosa, whom they claim is struggling to manage immigration, while insisting that law enforcement often works against communities rather than addressing their concerns.
South Africa court rules anti-migrant clinic blockades illegal
Africa News
20 November 2025
Operation Dudula, an anti-migrant group in South Africa, has been blocking foreigners from accessing public health clinics by demanding identity documents and turning away those without them, despite a Johannesburg High Court ruling declaring its actions unlawful and government assurances that health care is guaranteed for all. The group, whose name means “to get rid of by force,” has grown in visibility by targeting migrants in clinics, schools, and shops, claiming they take jobs from South Africans amid high unemployment. Its tactics often involving members in military-style fatigues have sparked condemnation from human rights groups, healthcare officials, and the government, which has deployed security to clinics and arrested some members for harassment. While South Africa faces overcrowded hospitals and strained resources, Operation Dudula’s rise reflects broader waves of xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment in the country, drawing regional concern, particularly from Zimbabwe, where citizens have reported being denied care.
Hundreds arrested in illegal immigration blitz in South Africa
Newsday
19 November 2025
A joint operation in Mayfair, Johannesburg on 18 November led to 391 arrests of suspected illegal immigrants, hailed by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber as their “most successful operation to date.” Conducted by Home Affairs, JMPD, and SAPS, the raid detained 630 people without valid documents, with 391 processed for deportation. Officials said the crackdown reflects intensified immigration enforcement, while city leaders emphasized it as part of broader intelligence-led crime prevention, with further operations planned.
South Africa holds 150 Palestinians on plane for 12 hours
DW
14 November 2025
South African authorities faced sharp criticism after detaining 153 Palestinians at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo Airport for 12 hours, citing missing Israeli exit stamps and lack of local addresses, before eventually allowing them to disembark with NGO support; the passengers, many fleeing Gaza, endured dire conditions on the plane, described as “excruciatingly hot” with children crying. The incident exposed confusion over Israel’s role, as Haaretz reported Palestinians were flown out via Ramon Airport under arrangements Israel claimed were coordinated, though passports were left unstamped and families misled by unregistered organizations. President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the situation, saying Palestinians seemed to be “flushed out,” while the Palestinian Embassy accused organizers of exploitation. The episode underscores South Africa’s strong criticism of Israel, its ongoing genocide case at the International Court of Justice, and broader concerns that forced transfers of civilians from Gaza may constitute war crimes under international law.
Link: https://www.dw.com/en/south-africa-holds-150-palestinians-on-plane-for-12-hours/a-74743754
Categories:
Tags:
- Displacement
- Economic Migrants
- International Law
- Human Rights
- Refugee Protection
- Regional Cooperation
- African Migration Routes
- Humanitarian Crisis
- IOM
- UNHCR
- Mediterranean Crossings
- Libya Coastguard
- Sudan Crisis
- Egypt Deportations
- Nigeria Immigration Service
- South Africa
- Operation Dudula
- Xenophobia
- Immigration Policy
- Border Security
- Irregular Migration
- Human Trafficking
- Deportations
- Asylum Seekers
- Refugees
- Migration