Mozambican refugee population surge at Malawi camp

Government officials are expressing concern that the population of Mozambican refugees at Luwani camp has surged drastically.

This comes barely days after Mozaambican rebel leader Alfonso Dhlakama announced a two month ceasefire.

Mwanza district commissioner Gift Rapozo said the number of the refugees has surged from 2000 to 4000.

“We are now getting 150 refugees from Mozambique every week,” he said.

The government decreed a few months ago that all refugees living among Malawians in villages should move to Luwani Refugee camp as they posed a security threat to Malawians.

However, the government is facing great resistance in Karonga where authorities want to open a new refugee camp to accomodate those living at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa.

Some people in Karonga, incuding members of parliament, some traditional leaders, businessmen and civil society organisations are up in arms against the government decision to transfer Dzaleka camp to Karonga.

They  blame Chief Kyungu, whom they say is a government puppet and Democratic Progressive Party sympathiser of single handedly allowing the opening of the camp.

A few weeks ago, Home Affairs minister Grace Chiumia threatened to use the police and force to open the camp. She threatened to deal with those who are standing on the way.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!