US criticises govt on refugees operation
The United States (US) has condemned the government’s move to force refugees and asylum seekers to relocate to Dzaleka Camp, pointing out that we have to “love our neigbours as we love ourselves”.
US Ambassador David Young launched the criticism in his keynote address at the Dynamic Leaders and Gatekeepers Forum (DLGF) in Lilongwe on Saturday.
“The Rwandans, Burundis and others came here with a lot of pain in their lives,” he said.
Young questioned if Malawi would be pleased if thousands of its citizens who trekked to South Africa were forced to return.
“They [the refugees] came with the same pain as someone travelling from Mzimba or Mangochi to Cape Town or Johannesburg for greener pastures.
“There are hundreds of thousands of Malawians who live in South Africa.
“Do you want South Africa to push those people out and send them back home?” he quizzed.
The government launched the operation last week amid accusations that the refugees who settled in towns and cities were robbing indigenous Malawians of economic opportunities by engaging in micro-economic activities.
Over 900 refugees and their children have since relocated to Dzaleka after they were rounded up by the police.
Young took particular interest in this: “As transformational leaders, we have to realise that rounding up children and putting them in prison will not help to address smuggling, that will not help address your security problems on the borders.”
The ambassador added that the government’s concerns about border security are reasonable.
“It’s very understandable that Malawi is concerned about border security. It’s very understandable and reasonable that Malawi is concerned about smuggling, those are very, very, very legitimate concerns. But you have to be smart about it…
“So, whether it’s refugees or economic migrants, let’s show compassion. Let us use our heads and our hearts. To be smart about how we address issues that involve refugees and migrants,” he said in an interview later.
The US stance comes amid pressure from the United Nations Refugee Agency and local human rights institutions to stop the operation.
In his reaction, Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu said the government is operating in line with the country’s legal framework.
He said: “Malawi recognises the valid reasons that compel refugees and asylum seekers to flee their home countries and seek protection in our country.
“However, we have a legal framework that guides the management of refugees and asylum seekers in Malawi.”
The minister added: “We really love our neighbours as we do with ourselves and we do not smile when thousands of Malawians are caught while with their families bundled and thrown to languish at places like Lindela holding camp in South Africa awaiting a traumatising three days deportation journey to Malawi.
“But we also recognise the fact that institutions like UNHCR have clear rules regarding refugees, spelling out who a refugee is, what he can and what he cannot do in a country where he seeks refuge. Where we are in the wrong, we accept and move on.”
