Africa-Press – Malawi. As government decommissions Nyamithuthu Settlement in Nsanje District today, around 336 Mozambican nationals currently residing at the site have refused voluntary repatriation and are instead seeking refugee status in the country.
Refugee Department Administrator Hilda Kausiwa confirmed the developments to The Daily Times.
“The Ministry of Homeland Security, through the Department of Refugees, commenced voluntary repatriation of Mozambican asylum seekers on March 1, targeting those living at Nyamithuthu Settlement in Nsanje District.
“The process, facilitated in coordination with Mozambican authorities and international partners, has so far seen the successful return of 3,050 individuals to their home country via the Shire River. Over 5,000 individuals registered for repatriation across the district,” Kausiwa said.
She added that a group of over 336 people had declined to return, citing fears for their safety and requesting continued international protection.
In response, the government has conducted Refugee Status Determination (RSD) interviews to assess their eligibility for asylum under international humanitarian law.
“These assessments were conducted in non-metropolitan areas to ensure accessibility and coverage,” she said.
According to refugee authorities, individuals who do not meet the criteria for repatriation will be considered for relocation to Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District, pending the outcome of their RSD interviews.
They said that the repatriation process is entirely voluntary and that the government is ensuring those who do not feel safe returning to Mozambique are given a fair and thorough assessment to determine their status.
The department said that for those who qualify for protection, arrangements will be made to relocate them to Dzaleka, which remains Malawi’s official refugee camp.
The decommissioning of Nyamithuthu Settlement is part of broader efforts by the government to streamline refugee management and reduce the number of unofficial or temporary camps across the country.
Authorities have emphasised that the process is being carried out with full respect for international humanitarian standards and in coordination with international agencies.
Meanwhile, registration and assessments are ongoing in other temporary settlements across Nsanje as part of the government’s comprehensive repatriation and refugee protection strategy.
On October 24, 2024 Mozambique’s election commission declared Daniel Chapo and his ruling party, Frelimo, winners of the country’s October 9, 2024 general elections.
The opposition Podemos party contested the election results in nationwide demonstrations. Security forces cracked down on the protests, killing over 300 people and injuring hundreds more.
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