Botswana: repatriation of Namibians begins

UNHCR on Monday began the repatriation from Botswana of Namibian refugees who fled north-eastern Namibia's Caprivi region four years ago, during clashes between Namibian forces and separatist rebels. On Monday, the first group of 267 people travelled more than 500 km in trucks and buses from Dukwe refugee camp in north-eastern Botswana to a transit point 50 km into Namibia's Caprivi province - a strip of Namibian territory wedged between Botswana, Zambia and Angola. The convoy was accompanied by an ambulance and UNHCR vehicles. The next group is scheduled to be taken home tomorrow (Wednesday). A total of 853 people have signed up for the repatriation, out of nearly 2,000 who have fled Namibia since the 1998 clashes. The return follows a UNHCR-led go-and-see visit to Caprivi last June by representatives of the refugee community. UNHCR expects more people to sign up for the return, once those going back now have arrived in their homes.