09 Mar 2015

Botswana and Namibian governments will on December 31 this year invocate the Cessation Clause in respect to the Namibian refugees in Botswana.

According to a press statement, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi met with the Namibian Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Mr Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana in  Namibia on March 3 on issues related to the invocation of Cessation Clause on the 988 Namibian refugees currently hosted in Botswana following his address of refugees in Botswana last month (February 9).

The press statement, signed by the two ministers, stated that the duo agreed that the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) recommendations on activities leading to the invocation of Cessation Clause be implemented before December 31 this year.

Again, it said the two ministers also agreed that the Tripartite Commission meeting between the two governments and UNHCR be hosted by Namibia on April 15-17 in Katima Mulilo, Zambezi region.

The meeting would discuss the action plan as proposed by UNHCR including preparations for “Go-and-See” and “Come-and-Tell” visits as well as Voluntary Repatriation information campaign for Namibian Refugees in Botswana. ENDS