Former refugees reject UN, Swapo denials over alleged missing millions
Swapo says no evidence to support demonstrators’ claims
Efforts by Swapo and the United Nations (UN) to reassure former Namibian refugees that no funds were misappropriated or withheld following their 1989 repatriation appear to have failed thus far.
The group is demanding access to records and meetings to resolve what they describe as a long-standing grievance.
They, along with their exile-born children, have camped outside Swapo’s national headquarters in Windhoek since 22 October 2025.
Among their demands are documentary proof related to an amount of N$21.7 million, which they claim was allocated for their reintegration and resettlement at independence but was never accounted for.
Swapo called a meeting on Saturday with the former refugees to resolve the dispute and clarify how funds linked to the 1989 repatriation were handled.
Representatives from Swapo, United Nations officials and leaders of the demonstrators attended the meeting to address the claims and explore a path toward resolution.
The group has persistently argued that financial support that was allegedly promised during the historic repatriation was either mismanaged or never delivered.
They claim further that repeated explanations from Swapo and the United Nations are insufficient without access to official records showing how the funds were handled.
Some of the former refugees remained camped outside Swapo headquarters yesterday, despite being told the matter was closed and that no funds were available.
No evidence
Addressing the demonstrators last Saturday, Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa said a thorough review of the party’s records, including those from the tenure of her predecessors, found no evidence that funds meant for the returnees were received, withheld or misused by the party.
“Our party maintains comprehensive files of all income and expenditures,” Shaningwa said. “After reviewing these records, we found no internal evidence supporting the claims raised by the demonstrators.”
The Swapo SG said the UN had been invited to the meeting to ensure transparency and fairness, particularly in relation to the allegations that Swapo mishandled donor funds during the repatriation process.
Shaningwa said the engagement was intended to provide historical context, transparency and closure, reiterating the party’s commitment to those who contributed to Namibia’s liberation.
“Swapo Party remains committed to honouring the contributions of veterans of the national liberation struggle and addressing historical matters in a manner that upholds the dignity of those who fought for our independence,” she said.
In 2017, former information minister Tjekero Tweya said Namibia had not received money from the UN at independence for the reintegration of Namibian refugees and exiles into society.
“The position of the UN is clear: there are no funds to be claimed. There are no benefits or monies that should have been paid to Namibian repatriates in the context of the implementation of resolution 435,” Tweya said at the time.
He added that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had concluded that no funds earmarked for the 1989 Namibian repatriation had been misused or retained by the agency.
Fully accounted for
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations, the UNHCR Southern Africa representative, Kavita Belani, reaffirmed that all assistance provided during the 1989 repatriation was voluntary, fully accounted for and formally closed at the time. She said any unspent donor funds were returned to UN headquarters in line with standard financial procedures.
“The UN’s role was limited to facilitating the safe return of refugees and providing basic reintegration support,” Belani said.
“Responsibility for long-term rehabilitation and resettlement rests with the Namibian government," she added. She further underlined that over the past several years, the UN has consistently shared documentation, responded to concerns and coordinated with government authorities to clarify any outstanding questions.
The UN said it had engaged with representatives of the former refugees on multiple occasions, beginning in 2017 and continuing through February 2025.
At a March 2021 meeting, the group reportedly reached consensus with the UN that the organisation’s mandate had been fulfilled and that further engagement with national authorities should be pursued.
No official confirmation
Despite this, the Former Refugees Repatriation Association of Namibia insists that the UN allegedly failed to account for N$21.7 million they say was intended for the reintegration of Namibian returnees.
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators on Saturday, Aina Angula said the group remains unconvinced and is still seeking clarity on the alleged support promised at the time of their return.
She claimed that while correspondence, reports and records exist between the UN, Swapo, the Council of Churches of Namibia and other authorities, the refugees have never received a final, official confirmation resolving the issue.
Angula said they have been demanding answers for at least three to four years, with protests intensifying since mid-2022.
She noted that demonstrators have previously staged “no money, no vote” protests and that, as of October last year, many were still waiting for answers 36 years after returning to Namibia.
[email protected]
FILE CLOSED: Swapo party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa. Photo: Phillipus Josef
Scan the QR code to watch the video.
The group is demanding access to records and meetings to resolve what they describe as a long-standing grievance.
They, along with their exile-born children, have camped outside Swapo’s national headquarters in Windhoek since 22 October 2025.
Among their demands are documentary proof related to an amount of N$21.7 million, which they claim was allocated for their reintegration and resettlement at independence but was never accounted for.
Swapo called a meeting on Saturday with the former refugees to resolve the dispute and clarify how funds linked to the 1989 repatriation were handled.
Representatives from Swapo, United Nations officials and leaders of the demonstrators attended the meeting to address the claims and explore a path toward resolution.
The group has persistently argued that financial support that was allegedly promised during the historic repatriation was either mismanaged or never delivered.
They claim further that repeated explanations from Swapo and the United Nations are insufficient without access to official records showing how the funds were handled.
Some of the former refugees remained camped outside Swapo headquarters yesterday, despite being told the matter was closed and that no funds were available.
No evidence
Addressing the demonstrators last Saturday, Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa said a thorough review of the party’s records, including those from the tenure of her predecessors, found no evidence that funds meant for the returnees were received, withheld or misused by the party.
“Our party maintains comprehensive files of all income and expenditures,” Shaningwa said. “After reviewing these records, we found no internal evidence supporting the claims raised by the demonstrators.”
The Swapo SG said the UN had been invited to the meeting to ensure transparency and fairness, particularly in relation to the allegations that Swapo mishandled donor funds during the repatriation process.
Shaningwa said the engagement was intended to provide historical context, transparency and closure, reiterating the party’s commitment to those who contributed to Namibia’s liberation.
“Swapo Party remains committed to honouring the contributions of veterans of the national liberation struggle and addressing historical matters in a manner that upholds the dignity of those who fought for our independence,” she said.
In 2017, former information minister Tjekero Tweya said Namibia had not received money from the UN at independence for the reintegration of Namibian refugees and exiles into society.
“The position of the UN is clear: there are no funds to be claimed. There are no benefits or monies that should have been paid to Namibian repatriates in the context of the implementation of resolution 435,” Tweya said at the time.
He added that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had concluded that no funds earmarked for the 1989 Namibian repatriation had been misused or retained by the agency.
Fully accounted for
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations, the UNHCR Southern Africa representative, Kavita Belani, reaffirmed that all assistance provided during the 1989 repatriation was voluntary, fully accounted for and formally closed at the time. She said any unspent donor funds were returned to UN headquarters in line with standard financial procedures.
“The UN’s role was limited to facilitating the safe return of refugees and providing basic reintegration support,” Belani said.
“Responsibility for long-term rehabilitation and resettlement rests with the Namibian government," she added. She further underlined that over the past several years, the UN has consistently shared documentation, responded to concerns and coordinated with government authorities to clarify any outstanding questions.
The UN said it had engaged with representatives of the former refugees on multiple occasions, beginning in 2017 and continuing through February 2025.
At a March 2021 meeting, the group reportedly reached consensus with the UN that the organisation’s mandate had been fulfilled and that further engagement with national authorities should be pursued.
No official confirmation
Despite this, the Former Refugees Repatriation Association of Namibia insists that the UN allegedly failed to account for N$21.7 million they say was intended for the reintegration of Namibian returnees.
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators on Saturday, Aina Angula said the group remains unconvinced and is still seeking clarity on the alleged support promised at the time of their return.
She claimed that while correspondence, reports and records exist between the UN, Swapo, the Council of Churches of Namibia and other authorities, the refugees have never received a final, official confirmation resolving the issue.
Angula said they have been demanding answers for at least three to four years, with protests intensifying since mid-2022.
She noted that demonstrators have previously staged “no money, no vote” protests and that, as of October last year, many were still waiting for answers 36 years after returning to Namibia.
[email protected]
FILE CLOSED: Swapo party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa. Photo: Phillipus Josef
Scan the QR code to watch the video.
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