17 Feb 2013

Twenty-nine Namibian refugees have voluntarily repatriated to their country last week, says a Director in the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security.

In an interview, Mr Sanoto said the tripartite commission on the repatriation of Namibian refugees bore fruits.

He expressed hope that others would take up the opportunity to consider voluntary repatriation because the situation has normalised in their country 

The refugees were afforded continuous registration so that those who decided to return could do so without any delay.

He said from January 2011 up to January 31, 2013, a total of 312 refugees voluntarily repatriated to Angola, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe, while 235 resettled in Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, USA and Australia.

Mr Sanoto said after continually staying in Botswana for ten years, the concerned refugee could ask for a waiver of refugee status from the Minister and apply for Botswana citizenship.

He explained that should the request be approved an application of citizenship will be submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs.

Mr Sanoto said in the past, refugees were granted Botswana citizenship in groups or as individuals.

He cited that 277 Angolan refugees in Etsha were granted citizenship in 1997 while in 2005 another 155 Angolan refugees in Dukwi were given citizenship and given plots in the same village.

Furthermore, Mr Sanoto said although he does not have statistics of individual refugees who were granted citizenship, there were some who were given and noted that each case was treated on its own merits.

Mr Sanoto explained that voluntary repatriation, resettlement and reintegration were considered durable solutions to the problem of refugees.  The most preferred durable solution is when refugees return to countries of origin where they could easily reconnect with and join their families, he said.

He said “asylum seekers continue to come to Botswana, albeit in trickles, demonstrating that there are still countries out there that produce refugees.” ENDS