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Gunfire erupts in Dzaleka Refugee Camp

On the night of July 17th, there was two hours of continuous gunfire at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp. The disturbance was initially believed to be a police raid on Ethiopian-run human trafficking operations, but it was later confirmed as an operation by the Malawi Defense Force (MDF). WhatsApp audio messages from Dzaleka residents indicate that they believe 419 people, including illegal migrants typically trafficked to South Africa and resident refugees from Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were arrested and taken to Kamuzu Barracks. The intervention by MDF is a commendable effort to curb human trafficking, protect vulnerable refugees, and enhance regional peace. However, there are concerns over the operation’s execution, including allegations of property theft, arbitrary detentions, and insufficient targeting of trafficking facilities. Read more in this statement.