France, June 5 -- The latest unrest has alarmed neighbouring countries. Mozambique says hundreds of its citizens have already returned home, while countries including Ghana and Nigeria have moved to repatriate their nationals.

Kenya, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have urged their citizens to exercise caution.

South African police have also warned anti-immigration groups not to take the law into their own hands after two Mozambicans were killed in the southern coastal town of Mossel Bay.

Authorities said two people from Mozambique were killed "during activities associated with anti-foreigner demonstrations" at the weekend. Police rejected a statement by the Mozambican government that five of its citizens were killed as a "direct consequence of t...