Dukwe refugees turn to SADC

Namibian citizens currently exiled at the Dukwe refugee camp in neighbouring Botswana this week made a last ditch effort to avoid being repatriated. The refugees have petitioned the Southern African Development Community (SADC) office in Gaborone, according to a news report by Botswana commercial radio station Yarona FM. There are an estimated 916 Namibians currently residing in the refugee camp.The group through its spokesperson Felix Kakula said they want SADC to arrange a meeting with the Namibian government. The group has until 11 July to return to Namibia.If they do not do so, they will then be residing in Botswana illegally.Botswana defence minister Shaw Kgathi issued the 11 July deadline in May and said the group would have to voluntarily return to Namibia.The Namibian government through home affairs minister Frans Kapofi has in the past given the group assurances that they will be safely repatriated back into Namibia and will not face any discrimination. The Namibian government is working closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Botswana government to guarantee the safe return of the group.“Government is committed to the principle of voluntary repatriation as a durable solution; hence we are working together with the government of Botswana and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure their return in a dignified manner,” Kapofi said.According to Kapofi, consultations on a tripartite commission on the matter are at an advanced stage.“Twenty Namibian refugees from the Dukwe refugee camp in Botswana were repatriated in dignity and safety and are now with their family members in Namibia,” Kapofi said.Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi said during visit to State House in April that his government was exploring all options to ensure the Namibians at Dukwe are returned home.He said they no longer had refugee status and Botswana regarded them as illegal immigrants.“There are laws that govern what you do and how you conduct the business of illegal immigrants, and that will follow.“If there are Batswana who are in Namibia as illegal immigrants, I am sure the laws of Namibia will also result in them being assisted to go home.“So we await the outcome of possible engagement but we want to make this clear,” Masisi was quoted as saying.The group fled to Botswana after a failed attempt to secede the then Caprivi Region from Namibia.The Botswana government initially planned to deport the remaining Namibians living at Dukwe by 31 December 2015.OGONE TLHAGE

Dukwe refugees turn to SADC

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

Please login to leave a comment

Dukwe refugees turn to SADC

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

Please login to leave a comment

Login