Solwezi (Angola) - The Angolan
ambassador to Zambia, Balbina da Silva, explained to the Angolan
refugees still living in Maheba camp in Solwezi, the reasons why they
should return to the country.
Alluding to the end of the Status of Refugees, the ambassador focused her speech on the return call to avoid possible negative consequences that the unauthorized stay in Zambian territory may result, since the Zambian authorities determined to be illegal aliens who stay after the end of the reservation clause of Angolans in the country.
Balbina da Silva noted that the situation now is different, because “10 years since our country is in peace, the reasons of the past no longer exist. It is time to thank the Zambian authorities for the welcome and hospitality they have given us during these years and return to our home”.
During the two-hour meeting with the community of the Angolan refugees settled in the camp of Maheba, the diplomat tried to persuade the resistance of Angolans to adhere voluntary return for various claims.
The Angolan refugees in the camp of Maheba benefited from several food stuffs and other livelihood transferred by the Angola Embassy in Zambia.
The Refugee camp of Maheba, according to UNHCR data, sheltered about 7,485 Angolans and from this number 298 are already in Angola and 204 would have left Saturday.
Alluding to the end of the Status of Refugees, the ambassador focused her speech on the return call to avoid possible negative consequences that the unauthorized stay in Zambian territory may result, since the Zambian authorities determined to be illegal aliens who stay after the end of the reservation clause of Angolans in the country.
Balbina da Silva noted that the situation now is different, because “10 years since our country is in peace, the reasons of the past no longer exist. It is time to thank the Zambian authorities for the welcome and hospitality they have given us during these years and return to our home”.
During the two-hour meeting with the community of the Angolan refugees settled in the camp of Maheba, the diplomat tried to persuade the resistance of Angolans to adhere voluntary return for various claims.
The Angolan refugees in the camp of Maheba benefited from several food stuffs and other livelihood transferred by the Angola Embassy in Zambia.
The Refugee camp of Maheba, according to UNHCR data, sheltered about 7,485 Angolans and from this number 298 are already in Angola and 204 would have left Saturday.
