Akalites in Cambodia may face mass deportation as government gives May 31 ultimatum.

Akalites and other Nigerians living in Cambodia are currently facing the harsh realities of the new rule the country is about to implement. The Royal Government of Cambodia as at last week issued a strict immigration directive ordering African nationals residing illegally in the country to leave before May 31, 2026, or face arrest, imprisonment, and heavy fines. Umuaka Times correspondents in Cambodia late last week reported that the directive was announced by Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior and addressed to several African nationals, including citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and others. According to the official notice, an immigration waiver previously granted to affected foreigners will expire on May 31, 2026.

“All foreign nationals whose fines have been cleared must leave Cambodia on or before 31st of May 2026,” the statement read.

Cambodian authorities warned that any foreigner found remaining in the country illegally from June 1, 2026, would face immediate legal action.

“Any foreign national who enters, remains or is found in Cambodia from 1st of June 2026 will be arrested at the airport or at any location,” the notice stated.

The government added that offenders could face up to two years imprisonment and fines of up to $8,000 before deportation. Authorities further announced that nationwide operations targeting undocumented foreigners would begin immediately after the deadline.

“The Cambodia Police will start arresting any foreigner at any hideout in Cambodia from 1st of June 2026 for overstay and will hand over to the immigration authorities for legal action,” the statement added.

It was reported last week that the Cambodian government urged all affected persons to comply with the directive, stressing that violations of the country’s immigration laws would not be tolerated. The development comes amid growing immigration crackdowns and anti-foreigner sentiments affecting Africans in several countries around the world.

In the recent time, Nigerians and other nationals somehow became the target of several countries that embarked on mass deportation of Nigerians living in their countries. In South Africa for instance, anti-immigration groups such as Operation Dudula and March and March have intensified protests demanding that undocumented foreigners  and in some cases, even legal migrants  leave the country. Some weeks ago, the protests escalated across major cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town, affecting Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Ghanaians, Mozambicans, Malawians, and other African migrants. Some foreigners reportedly requested voluntary repatriation due to fears of attacks and harassment.

Protesters cited unemployment, crime allegations, and pressure on public services, illegal immigration, and worsening economic hardship as reasons for the demonstrations. South Africa continues to battle unemployment levels above 30 percent, with some groups blaming foreigners for worsening economic conditions. Other countries that have recently intensified immigration enforcement involving Nigerians and other African nationals include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Mozambique.

While several governments have increased deportations and tightened immigration controls, analysts note that there is an important distinction between enforcing immigration laws and officially ordering all Nigerians or Africans to leave a country entirely. Some experts have called on the United Nations to intervene into the crisis. Nigerians on social media last week strongly condemned Cambodia’s directive ordering African nationals to leave the country before May 31, describing the move as discriminatory toward Africans, excessively harsh because of the short deadline, and humiliating for African migrants. Several commentators argued that Cambodian authorities appeared to be unfairly targeting Africans compared to Europeans and Asians, while others said the development reflects growing global hostility and tightening immigration attitudes toward African migrants in different parts of the world.