Gov’t pressed to protect Tanzanian citizens living in Malawi

The Malawi government has been urged to protect Tanzanian citizens residing in the country who are now a target for mob justice following xenophobic attacks and the deportation of Malawians who were resident in Tanzania.

“We strongly behold that all law abiding Tanzanian citizens like all people have the right to security,” a statement issued  by Mzuzu-based Youth and Society (YAS), Young Politicians Union (YPU) and Africa Enterprise Mission (AEM) which Nyasa Times has a copy reads in part.

On Monday, Malawi woke up to a shocking development of violent deportation of Malawians from Tanzania. Over 30 Malawians camped at Mzuzu St. Andrew’s CCAP premises looking seriously victimized and destitute.

The statement – co-signed by Charles Kajoloweka, Peter Mumba and Tiyane Nyirenda of YAS, YPU and AEM respectively – asked government tighten up security in “some vulnerable parts of the country affected by the Crisis such as Mzuzu where tensions are rife” and also furnish the general public on the current happenings between the two countries.

Police gurding the Taifa Market
Police gurding the Taifa Market

“Malawians deserve to know the urgent measures their government is employing in dealing with the crisis,” the statement further said.

But reacting to the development Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu said no Malawian living in Tanzania with legal documents has been deported.

“Those who have been deported are those without legal documents [to stay in Tanzania],” Kunkuyu saidTuesday.

But the government spokesperson decried the beatings on some of the Malawians.

He said “we are only sad that some have been beaten up.”

Kunkuyu brushed aside rumors going viral on social media that the deportation of Malawians from Tanzania is as a result of the misunderstanding between the two countries over the Lake Malawi border.

“The deportation of Malawians has nothing to do with the Lake Malawi border dispute. Actually, Tanzania has been so cooperative on the issue.”

He added: “It is an exercise every country can conduct. It is not only Malawians that are being deported. Burundi, Rwanda and other countries have also been affected.”

Kunkuyu warned the citizenry not to take the law into their hands by attacking Tanzanians living in the country.

“That’s a responsibility of the Malawi government. No citizen can do that on his or her own,” he said.

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