BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The number of refugees camping at Malindza Refugee Camp has decreased to 693.
The refugee population had surpassed 1,000 following the political upheavals in Mozambique from October last year to January this year. However, some refugees felt it was now safe to return home, as the situation in Mozambique had improved.
According to a report from the Ministry of Home Affairs, some of the refugees who have already left expressed gratitude to the leadership and the entire nation of Emaswati for taking care of them during their stay in the country. Since Mozambique’s President, Daniel Chapo, was sworn into office, there have been no reports indicating political tensions in the country.
However, it remains to be seen whether tensions will persist now that Chapo is president. Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla expressed hope for peaceful resolutions in Mozambique, especially after President Chapo’s inauguration. Dladla noted that she was reassured by the fact that the situation in Mozambique was not classified as war but rather political tensions, which were reported to be occurring only in Maputo and not elsewhere.
Malindza Refugee Camp Estate Manager Bongekile Mamba informed Dladla that, at the time when the refugee count stood at 1,071, they were spread across 323 households. Surprisingly, most of these households were not of Mozambican origin. According to Mamba, only three households were Mozambican, while the majority of refugees came from countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, and others.
She stated that 50 percent of the refugees did not wish to return to Mozambique, while 25 percent wanted to go back. The remaining 25 percent were undecided. Dladla suggested that those unwilling to return might benefit from counseling.
Many organizations and individuals provided support to the refugees at Malindza Refugee Camp by donating essentials such as food and clothing, significantly improving their living conditions.
