At request of Mozambique govt, Malawi suspends transfer of refugees to Luwani – RM

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At request of Mozambique govt, Malawi suspends transfer of refugees to Luwani – RM

1:14 CAT | 21 Mar 2016

Voa (File photo) / Mozambicans in Kapise, Malawi

The Malawian authorities have suspended the transfer of displaced Mozambicans from Kapise to the old Luwani refugee camp following “strong protests” by the Mozambican government, which opposes the measure.

According to Radio Mozambique, any transfer must have the consent of the Mozambican government. Mozambique meanwhile insists there is no war in the country, and says the people fleeing to Malawi are not refugees and must return home.

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in Malawi, Jean Kalilani, confirmed the suspension of the move.

“We suspended the relocation as a result of discussions with the government of Mozambique,” he said.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had praised the Malawian government’s decision to reopen the Luwani camp to deal with the growing number of Mozambicans, Radio Mozambique reports.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, UNHCR spokesman Leo Dobbs said the reopening of the 160-hectare Luwani camp would provide better facilities as well as being safer.

“UNHCR appreciates Malawi’s generosity in hosting so many people. We also reiterate the importance of keeping the door open for these people,” Dobbs said, apparently encouraging Mozambicans to stay in Malawi at the same time as the Mozambican government says they should return home.

However, the UNHCR representative in Malawi, Monique Ekoko, said she has not been told of the suspension of the transfer of Mozambicans to Luwani, and said she would make a statement once she had been officially informed.

“We need an official notification from the Malawi government before we can make a statement” Ekoko said.

Source: Rádio Moçambique