MDM calls on government to support Mozambican refugees in Malawi

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MDM calls on government to support Mozambican refugees in Malawi

4:08 CAT | 04 Feb 2016

Voa Portugues / Daviz Simango, president of MDM (Democratic Movement of Mozambique ) and mayor of Beira city, capital of Sofala central province.

Daviz Simango, leader of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the country’s third-largest parliamentary force, has called on the government to assist Mozambican refugees in Malawi, saying they deserved as much because they were fleeing violence in Mozambique, and that simply denying their existence would endanger their lives and safety.

“We call on the Mozambican authorities to address the situation and send the necessary support urgently, and to provide all possible comfort in this humanitarian crisis, which results from an endemic culture of violence and political intolerance and the absence of peace,” Simango told a press conference in Beira after a visit to Malawi.

An MDM political commission recently visited the neighbouring country for three days to establish the truth of the situation that has forced residents of villages in Tete Moatize to flee the country.

Simango also reiterated his call for conditions for the return of Mozambican refugees to be created.

“Mozambicans are living in the open in deplorable humanitarian conditions; hungry and fainting constantly, lacking drinking water, sanitation and shelter from the rain,” the MDM leader said.

Simango said that “the common denominator in their flight to Malawi is the military conflict between government forces and Renamo,” and warned that the failure to recognize the existence of the victims by Mozambican authorities would endanger their lives and safety.

“Confusing refugees with emigrants has consequences for their lives and safety. Mixing these words diverts attention from the specific legal safeguards to which refugees are entitled, and also undermines public support for refugees at a time when they most need protection,” Simango continued, referring to the government’s reticence in recognizing the existence of Mozambican refugees in Malawi.

The Mozambican government classifies the refugees as migrants in search of production land in Malawi, and suggests that the alleged wave of Mozambican refugees “is nothing more than opportunistic,” according to several government agencies and communications.

As a result, said Simango, the refugees are not granted legal rights, and interventions can be described as “temporary protection schemes”.

Simango also called on the government and Renamo to cease military action, respect democratic institutions and find ways of achieving peace.

Refugees’ interviews with Voice of America (VOA) describe defense and security forces coming to villages and burning houses and barns on the grounds that the population shelters and feeds Renamo men, with many fleeing because their property was destroyed.

“The Renamo military came and set up a base in Nkondezi. After a while, Frelimo set up a base nearby. Then Frelimo began to take revenge and persecute the population,” said Vincente Samuel, who walked two days to reach the refugees centre in Kapise in search of safety.

Their testimonies are always followed by the assurance that “we have never seen a Renamo soldier.” Refugees interviewed by VOA also deny being supporters of Afonso Dhlakama’s party.

Source: VOA Portugues