Malawi President Stands Firm on Refugees Relocation

BLANTRYE, MALAWI - Refugees and their advocates in Malawi have expressed alarm at President Lazarus Chakwera's defense of a plan to force about 2,000 people back into a refugee camp. A court injunction has prevented their immediate relocation, but authorities have appealed the order.

Speaking with CNN on Thursday, Chakwera said the government was enforcing the law by moving to relocate refugees staying outside their designated camp. Malawi’s encampment policy prohibits refugees from staying outside their camp. It also requires the refugees to work within the camp premises. Under the relocation order issued in early April, the government said by staying outside the camp, the refugees threatened national security.