Katima Mulilo
Thirteen refugees from Dukwe, Botswana who arrived in Zambezi early this week for possible repatriation were yesterday ordered to leave Namibia after some of them were engaged in political mobilisation for the United Democratic Party (UDP). Following a government directive on September 1 2006 to forbid all the party’s meetings in Namibia, the UDP is effectively banned.
The UDP is led by exiled polical outcast Mishake Muyongo and seeks to impose a secessionist ideologue on the residents of Zambezi.
Because of what turned out to be political mobilisation by the 13 Namibian refugees from Dukwe refugee camp in Botswana, who were on a familiarisation visit in Namibia, Zambezi Regional Governor Lawrence Sampofu decided to cancel a planned meeting with the group.
This, he said, was due to a veiled attempt by the refugees to advance their secessionist ideas and activities of the banned political project.
In a meeting yesterday that included UNHCR officials, a Botswana government delegation and Namibian home affairs officials with the 13 refugees, Sampofu explained his decision.
“Having analysed the meetings conducted so far and the views expressed and information disseminated by the refugees, certain traditional authority representatives and members of the communities, it has been concluded this is a veiled attempt by the come-and-see refugees to use this platform to continue advancing their position of secessionism and the UDP party interests,” the governor said.
Sampofu further accused some of the traditional authority representatives of supporting the secessionist agenda and for being receptive to subversive sentiments expressed during the visit.
Sampofu said he consulted central government before cancelling the meeting. The visits, which were meant for the refugees to familiarise themselves with the peaceful atmosphere prevalent in the region, were to continue up to Saturday.
According to Sampofu, Namibia is governed according to a constitution that does not allow secessionism. He noted that the country is interested in peace and that activities aimed at causing instability such as secessionism and UDP party ideologies would not be tolerated.
“We are not going to allow anyone to advocate or mobilise for the UDP or cause instability in Namibia,” he said.
“Your mobilisation, utterances and activities are not allowed. Your mission to Namibia was intended to come and see, not to mobilise and advocate for UDP,” cautioned the former military officer.
Sampofu however extended an olive branch to the refugees willing to come back home, saying Namibia was still committed to the repatriation of its citizens from Botswana and commended the five refugees who used the occasion to return home.
“We have wholeheartedly welcomed the five refugees who have been repatriated. All efforts are being made to integrate them into our Namibian society,” stressed Sampofu.
With the ‘banning’ of the UDP of exiled leader Mishake Muyongo in 2006, Sampofu cautioned against the resuscitation of the party in Namibia which has consistently advocated for an independent region. In their first meeting with Sampofu since arriving, one of the 13 refugees on a familiarisation visit, Felix Kakula, stated they would only return home if they can come back as members of the UDP. At another meeting at the headquarters of Mafwe chief George Simasiku Mamili on the same day similar secessionist sentiments were also repeated.
Other meetings followed at Liselo, Kasheshe and Nampengu villages on Tuesday. In these meetings some community members and traditional authority representatives reportedly shared the same sentiments, which angered Sampofu.
Yesterday the refugees were told to pack their bags and leave immediately and were escorted back to the Ngoma border post.
More than 3 000 people fled Namibia to Botswana in 1999 in the wake of the failed attempt to secede the then Caprivi from the rest of the country.