SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND SECURITY- HONOURABLE THOMAS KAGISO MMUSI

Today, as we commemorate World Refugee Day, we recognise the resilience that brings refugees to our doorstep in desperate situations in many cases, and usually traumatized by harrowing experiences before and during their journeys.

Botswana has a long history of hosting refugees and providing protection to those fleeing conflict, and persecution in their countries of origin. The refuge settlement in Dukwi is host to over 700 refugees from Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, and twelve other nationalities. I wish to reiterate that Botswana stands in solidarity with the millions of people around the world who long for what is often taken for granted: a safe place to call home.

World Refugee Day (WRD) provides an opportunity for the Botswana public to take time to consider the plight of those who have been displaced for one reason or another and to come together to commemorate their perseverance, resilience courage, and strength. The theme for this year is “Together we Heal, Learn, and Shine”. The objective is to recognise and remind all stakeholders that we must come together to shine a light on refugees and asylum seekers in order to protect and improve their lives. It also provides an opportunity for Batswana to stand in solidarity with millions of refugees around the world.

This is especially more important in the era of Covid-19 where it is important that even the factors causing refugees to flee their homes must be addressed by the international community at large. This historical event has been held on the 20th of June since 1974 when it was commemorated as Africa Day by the then Organization of African Unity (OAU), (now African Union), which took the lead in drawing the attention of the international community to the resilience of refugees asylum seekers, and the internally displaced in Africa who fled their homes due to war, conflict and persecution.

Every year now, marks an opportunity for us to pause from our day to day lives and to appreciate and understand the past, and present; and to show support for families and communities who are forced to flee their homeland.

Today the numbers of forcibly displaced persons are alarmingly high with more than 79.5 million forcibly displaced, of which more than 26 million are refugees. The past two years, our world has changed significantly. As the COVID-19 pandemic has plunged us into even more uncertain times, Botswana remains committed to its humanitarian tradition, and to an asylum system that is fair and efficient.

A recent profiling and verification exercise conducted by my Ministry, concluded that there were 266 households comprising of 708 individuals. We are committed to continuing to work closely with international partners to find ways to support people seeking refuge from persecution, violence, and insecurity as we navigate the unprecedented challenges we are facing as a global community during this crisis.

The Government of Botswana agrees that the best durable solution for refugees is for them to return to their countries of origin.

We believe that returns must be voluntary, safe, and dignified; returns must be based on the right conditions being in place in countries of origin; and returns must be in accordance with International Law. We are pleased that almost all the Zimbabwean and Namibian nationals who were previously in Dukwi Camp voluntarily returned to their country of origin.

We thank the individuals, organizations and countries that have for decades supported Botswana in its endeavor of supporting refugees and asylum seekers. I also appreciate the collaboration and support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the welfare of asylum seekers and refugees.

In closing, my fellow Batswana, I wish to urge us all to stay safe and abide by all Covid-19 Protocols. Let us come together to heal and shine. I wish you all a productive and peaceful day.