About 522 foreign nationals whose application for asylum and appeals were rejected are clinging to Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa, prompting the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to write government for their removal.

The UN agency argues that the 522 were using up space and support meant for bona fide refugees and asylum seekers.

Part of Dzaleka Refugees Camp in Dowa District

In an interview yesterday, Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma said there are also security concerns because authorities do not know how the 522 are making ends meet.

In a letter dated May 4 2023 addressed to commissioner for refugees in Malawi General Ignacio Maulana (retired), UNCHR country representative Kouame Cyr Modeste said the presence of the 522 at Dzaleka will create confusion.

Reads the letter in part: “As you may be aware, there are about 522 individuals in the country that are not of concern to UNHCR. These are cases whose asylum applications were finally rejected at the appeal level.

“ You will agree, commissioner, that these cases are using up space and support that is meant for bona fide refugees and asylum seekers in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Further, this may tarnish the image of the asylum as well as create confusion on who is and who is not a bona fide refugee or asylum seeker.

“In view of the foregoing, UNHCR pleads for the government to remove these individuals from the camp.”

UNHCR said recently that it was battling underfunding such that, by March 28 2023, it had only received six percent of the required $27.2 million (about K28 billion) to adequately support refugees and asylum-seekers in Malawi this year.

In an interview yesterday, Maulana said he met Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services director general Brigadier General Charles Kalumo (retired) on the matter.

He said: “When they [asylum seekers] were being rejected, they were coming from the camp going for interview, and some even had to appeal from the camp. So, after rejection, the list goes to Immigration for further action to deport them or take any other action.

“The one thing of concern is a question of resources. You don’t know how they are surviving and that should be of concern to UNHCR and the government. We can also not rule out on the issues of security.”

Ng’oma said government is working on clearing the rejected refugees.

According to UNHCR, about 8 000 refugees living in rural and urban locations are expected to return to Dzaleka Camp, which presently accommodates 56 425 refugees.

The camp was originally established to accommodate up to 12 000 refugees.

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