Time running out for Namibian refugees

Mmegi Editor | Tuesday July 7, 2015 15:29

During the struggle against apartheid South Africa, our southern neighbours sought refuge in many SADC countries and beyond. They stayed in Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho and Tanzania, amongst other states. The struggle for freedom was won and some of the refugees returned home, whilst others naturalised as Batswana.

Namibia was also at some point faced with the same situation, the country then known as South West Africa, was fighting against the occupation of racist South African government, and racial discrimination. The struggle was also won and in 1990, Namibia gained independence. Today, the country with which we have so much in common, including the Kalahari/Namib desert, population size and the indigenous San people; is one of the most stable and economically thriving countries in the region. It has become the tourism haven for fun loving Batswana who during the Christmas holidays trek southwest-wards to explore-especially the Swakopmund sand dunes.

The two countries are working on joint infrastructure development projects such as the trans Kalahari railway line, and the Walvis Bay dry-port, which is owned by Botswana. Namibia has also sworn in three constitutionally elected presidents since its independence in 1990 and there has never been a military coup or any attempt of that sort. Outside the continued flare-ups in Lesotho, there is some relative peace in the SADC region. It is therefore illogical that there are Namibians who sought asylum in Botswana in the late 80s and early 90s, who today still insist on remaining refugees. These are individuals who have another agenda, and taking advantage of the refugee status to remain outside the borders of their country. Over the last decade or so, Namibia and Botswana governments have engaged each other on the future of these refugees, including their safety when they return home.

However, the latest we hear is that the repatriation of a group of 13 refugees, who have resided here for more than a decade, failed after these individuals repeated their long-held secessionist demands. A number of the refugees are from the Caprivi Strip where a conflict between secessionists and the Namibian government raged between 1994 and 1999. Some of the refugees here in Botswana today still want the secession of the Caprivi region from Namibia and apparently are unwilling to negotiate. Whatever the merits of their cause, their demands are against the wish of the majority of Namibians. The Namibian government dutifully declared the group unruly and sent them back to Botswana, where taxpayers again have to continue footing the bill for their stay here. We stand with the Justice, Defence and Security minister, Shaw Kgathi who has set December 31, 2015 as the deadline for the repatriation of Namibian refugees. As a country, we have done our part.

Today’s thought

“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”

- Daniel Patrick Moynihan