Mozambique disowns refugees in Malawi

Authorities in Mozambique are disputing reports that the over 6000 refugees in Malawi are fleeing skirmishes in the northern part of Mozambique between Frelimo and Renamo, saying they are just normal migrants.

BBC on Friday quoted the Mozambican President  Filipe Nyusi as saying there was no war in his country warranting the fleeing of some people, described asylum seeker in Malawi as a nomal migration pattern. T

There are over 6000 refugees in Malawi, mostly in the border district of Mwanza, 20 years after the 15 year old war between the ruling Frelimo and opposition Renamo ended and Mozambicans who fled to Malawi returned back to rebuild their country.

Mozambique is now one of the few success stories in Africa with its economy growing at a fast rate, making it one of the few countries in Africa receiving donor budgetary support.

However, the skirmishes between Frelimo and Renamo in Tete and other areas might erase the success story and squeeze Malawi, a country struggling to feed its 17 million people and a choked economy.

Refugees interviewed by the BBC said they fled Frelimo brutality.

Some women claimed they were raped by the government soldiers as punishment for “shielding” Renamo rebels.

One woman said she witnessed the rape of another woman by 20 to 30 government soldiers and the woman died of her wounds.

Frelimo disputes the allegations.

Northern Mozambique is touted as Renamo sttonghold.

Renamo leader Alfonso Dhlakama lost the 2014 presidential elections and returned to the bush, a move condemned by many countries and donors.

The government of Malawi and the UNHCR are yet to open new campas for the refugees although the UN body is giving food and other necessities in the temporary shelters.