Cambodia Denies Ordering African Nationals to Leave

PHNOM PENH — A dramatic 24 hours of confusion and panic ended today with the Cambodian government issuing a firm denial regarding reports that it had ordered all African nationals, including citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, to leave the country by May 31, 2026.

Earlier this week, a document purporting to be an “official notice” from the General Department of Immigration began circulating widely on social media and international news outlets. The document claimed that a visa waiver for African nationals would expire on May 31, warning that anyone found in the country from June 1 would face immediate arrest, a two-year jail term, and a fine of $8,000.

However, in a swift rebuttal on Friday, Cambodian authorities declared the document to be completely fabricated.

“Fake News”

Ministry of Interior Spokesperson Touch Sokhak categorically dismissed the reports, labeling them as an attempt to deceive the public.

“It is fake news fabricated to distort the situation and mislead domestic and international audiences,” Touch Sokhak told Xinhua News Agency.

The General Department of Immigration released an official statement clarifying that the information published on those websites is “completely untrue.” Officials confirmed that no such sweeping directive has been issued against African nationals residing in the country.

Diplomatic Confirmation

The denial from Phnom Penh was immediately corroborated by diplomatic missions representing the affected nations.

In Kenya, the ambassador to Thailand (who is also accredited to Cambodia) urged citizens to disregard the notice, stating that it is “not authentic and does not reflect any official position from Cambodian authorities.”

Similarly, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, issued a press release confirming that diplomatic engagements had verified the document was “absolutely fake.” The Ministry noted that it is currently facilitating the voluntary evacuation of Ghanaians who wish to leave—a process that was already underway before the false notice surfaced.

How the Hoax Spread

The original fabricated notice cited senior officials, including Lt. Gen. Som Sopheak and Gen. Sar Sokha, and threatened that police would begin “arresting any foreigner at any hideout.” The sophisticated formatting of the document led several news outlets to initially report the story as fact, causing widespread alarm among African expatriate communities.

Authorities have since warned the public to verify immigration information solely through official government channels and diplomatic missions. The Royal Government of Cambodia reiterated that while it strictly enforces immigration laws, the specific threat against African nationals circulating online holds no merit.

Cambodia Denies Ordering African Nationals to Leave

Xenophobia: “South African Men Are Jealous of Us Because We Service Their Women Well in Bed” – Ghanaian Man

One of the Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa by the Ghana government following reported xenophobic attacks has made a highly controversial claim about the root cause of tensions between locals and foreign nationals. Speaking after arriving in Ghana, the evacuee alleged that some South African men are jealous of Ghanaians because Ghanaians are reportedly very good in bed .

“The South African men are jealous of us because we service their women well in bed,” he claimed in remarks that have since gone viral across social media platforms . The statement, made as he touched down on Ghanaian soil, has sparked intense debate online, with some questioning the appropriateness of his comments amid a serious diplomatic crisis involving violence, business closures, and forced displacement of African migrants.

The evacuee was among the first batch of approximately 300 Ghanaians who returned to Accra on Wednesday aboard a government-organized repatriation flight . The evacuation followed weeks of escalating anti-immigrant protests and violence in parts of South Africa, which saw foreign nationals—including Ghanaians, Nigerians, Zimbabweans, and others—targeted in mob attacks, business lootings, and intimidation campaigns . Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, personally greeted the returnees at the airport, where patriotic songs were blasted over the speakers . “Wherever Ghanaians are, we will make sure you are protected,” Ablakwa assured the evacuees . The government also promised a re-integration financial package and psycho-social support for those returning home .

The controversial bedroom claim comes amid a deeply troubling wave of xenophobic violence that has swept across parts of South Africa, forcing many African nationals to abandon their businesses, homes, and communities . Viral videos have shown South Africans confronting Ghanaian migrants, accusing them of taking jobs and refusing to “fix their own countries” . In one widely circulated clip, a South African woman told a Ghanaian man: “We don’t want these African people anymore. We’re tired of seeing African migrants moving all over the world and refusing to fix their own countries”.

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Tensions have also spilled into the realm of threats and counter-threats between the two nations. In another viral video, a Ghanaian man warned that if South Africans harm any Ghanaian on a specific date reportedly tied to an ultimatum for illegal immigrants to leave South Africa, Ghanaians would retaliate by targeting MTN operations and South African women allegedly involved in prostitution in Ghana . “On that same day, we are going to protest against South Africa in this country. If they touch one Ghanaian again, we will touch two of them. If they touch three, we will touch four,” the man threatened in the video . He further claimed that many South African women are engaged in prostitution in locations such as Cantoments, near the Togo Embassy, and Lapaz in Accra .

Netizens have reacted sharply to both the evacuee’s comments and the escalating rhetoric. Some dismissed the bedroom claim as inappropriate and distracting from the real issues of xenophobia, unemployment, and structural inequality driving the attacks . Others expressed concern that such statements only fuel further hostility between Africans who should be united. One X user, reacting to the counter-threat video, said: “A lot of our ladies are missing without a trace due to human trafficking syndicates. Please report those ‘engaged in prostitution’ to your police so that they can be returned to SA” . Another user commented on the evacuee’s bedroom remarks: “This is exactly the kind of nonsense that makes us all look bad. People are dying and losing businesses, and this man is talking about bedroom performance”.

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Approximately 800 Ghanaians in total are expected to leave South Africa as Accra continues repatriation efforts . South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized economy, has long been a destination for both legal and undocumented African workers. However, saddled with an unemployment rate of over 32 percent , the country has seen repeated spurts of xenophobic and anti-migrant protests over the years . The recurring attacks have revived uncomfortable debates across Africa about xenophobia, migration, and the gap between pan-African rhetoric and the realities facing migrants on the continent .

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama strongly condemned the xenophobic attacks and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to Pan-Africanism, stating that “there is no room for xenophobia in Ghana” . Business mogul Ibrahim Mahama also appealed to affected Ghanaians to return home, saying: “I don’t want to be rich in another man’s country” . The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to consider reopening the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria to help with evacuation and provide consular services to affected Ghanaians .

Yet, the evacuee’s bedroom claim has injected an unexpected and bizarre twist into an otherwise grim narrative of violence, displacement, and diplomatic tension. As social media continues to dissect his remarks, many are left wondering whether such statements reflect genuine sentiment, frustration, or simply an attempt at virality amid a national crisis. Some commentators have pointed out that his words, while inflammatory, may also reveal the deep frustration of migrants who feel unfairly targeted after years of building lives and businesses in South Africa .

The Ghana High Commission in South Africa has confirmed that evacuation flights will continue until all willing Ghanaians are repatriated. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has rejected accusations that the country is xenophobic, describing the recent incidents as isolated while reaffirming openness to diplomatic engagement . However, for many returnees like the man who made the controversial bedroom claim, the damage has already been done—and the journey home marks the end of a chapter in South Africa that they may never revisit .

As of the latest updates, the Ghanaian government continues to monitor the situation in South Africa closely, with officials advising all Ghanaian nationals still in the country to exercise extreme caution and register with the High Commission for potential further evacuation . The government has also called on the African Union to take a more active role in addressing the recurring cycle of xenophobic violence against African migrants on the continent .

Xenophobia: “South African Men Are Jealous of Us Because We Service Their Women Well in Bed” – Ghanaian Man

15 Students Killed in Kenya School Dormitory Fire

At least 15 students have been confirmed dead following a devastating overnight fire at Utumishi Girls Academy, a boarding school in Gilgil, Nakuru County, central Kenya. The fire broke out around 1:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, May 28, 2026, while students were asleep in a dormitory block housing approximately 220 students .

Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi confirmed the deaths, with some media reports putting the death toll at 16 . Over 100 students have been hospitalised with injuries, according to health officials, as rescue and emergency response efforts continue . The injured were rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Gilgil and surrounding medical facilities for treatment and assessment .

Police commander Masoud Mwinyi described the incident as “a sad and distressing situation” while speaking to distraught parents and crowds gathered outside the school . Firefighters from multiple agencies, including local and national emergency units, worked through the night to contain the blaze and evacuate students from the affected dormitory .

Some students sustained injuries after jumping from the upper floor of the dormitory while attempting to escape the blaze, according to witnesses . Wambui Nderitu, whose niece is a student at the school, told the BBC: “Some of those at the top floor had to jump out, that’s why they are injured.” She added that her niece survived but suffered a broken leg .

Mwinyi said some students fled into nearby areas during the chaos and were still being traced as of Thursday morning. “As we speak, our officers are combing the area because some students fled in shock and fear during the night,” he said . The school has been cordoned off, with only parents being allowed inside the compound .

The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that the fire was reported at approximately 3:30 a.m., prompting an immediate deployment of first responders, ambulance crews, and psychosocial support personnel . The National Police Service, working alongside the Kenya Defence Forces, Ministry of Education, Interior Ministry, the County Government of Nakuru, and other emergency teams, continues with search, rescue and support operations .

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Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat is reportedly at the school leading rescue and emergency response efforts . Authorities have yet to establish the cause of the fire, but criminal investigators and forensic experts have been deployed to the scene to determine the origin of the blaze .

This tragedy comes amid a worrying rise in school fire incidents across Kenya in recent weeks, with police saying several schools have experienced unrest, strikes and destruction of property, leading some institutions to temporarily close. The incident has reignited national concern over safety standards in boarding schools, particularly regarding fire preparedness, emergency exits, overcrowding, and compliance with safety regulations .

School fires are common in Kenyan boarding schools, with several deadly incidents reported in recent years. Overcrowding in dormitories and the failure to follow safety guidelines have frequently been blamed for the high number of casualties .

In September 2024, at least 21 boys died after a fire tore through a dormitory at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, one of the country’s deadliest school fire disasters in recent years . President William Ruto declared three days of national mourning following that incident.

In 2017, another dormitory fire at Moi Girls High School in Nairobi killed 10 students, with investigators later concluding the blaze had been started intentionally . Kenya’s deadliest school fire in recent history occurred in 2001 when 67 students died in a dormitory fire in Machakos County.

The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has previously called for regular mandatory inspections of all public and private schools nationwide to assess their compliance with safety standards and enhanced safety regulations for boarding schools to avert such tragedies . The church has also petitioned the government to adopt recommendations of various task forces that have investigated school fires in the past .

A 2020 audit revealed that many schools were ill-prepared for fire emergencies, lacking essential equipment such as functioning extinguishers and alarms . The Ministry of Education’s Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya outlines specific requirements, including that dormitory doors should be at least five feet wide and open outward, emergency exits must be clearly labeled, and fire extinguishing equipment should be available and fitted with alarms .

The Ministry of Education is currently conducting mandatory nationwide inspections of all public and private schools to evaluate their adherence to the guidelines outlined in the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya .

Frantic parents streamed to the school gates in large numbers as news of the tragedy spread across Gilgil and neighbouring areas. Many arrived to find confusion and fear, uncertain whether their children were among the victims. Wambui Nderitu described the scene: “When we arrived at the school we were told to queue. Most of us were so worried because we had heard some students had died and others were injured and in hospital” . She later found her niece alive but with a broken leg sustained while jumping from the dormitory’s upper floor.

As search-and-rescue operations continue, authorities are working to account for all students and support affected families during this difficult time . Further updates are expected as rescue operations conclude and investigations continue.

15 Students Killed in Kenya School Dormitory Fire