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A Turning Point for Refugee Justice

For many refugees still living with the painful memories of the 2023 forced relocation, the recent developments have brought a long-awaited hint of justice. In October and November, important shifts began to unfold. For instance, four Malawi Police Service officers and one civilian were arrested for robbing a refugee of millions of kwacha from his grocery shop in Salima during the relocation exercise.

The arrests offered some relief and renewed hope, and we issued a public statement applauding the action, recognising it as a sign that accountability may finally be taking root after a long period of silence and inaction. For two years, countless refugees have endured the trauma of stolen property, destroyed livelihoods, and deep uncertainty about their futures. We hope the authorities will widen their investigations to cover all reported cases of theft, abuse, and property loss from the relocation exercise.

A Refugee Reclaims his Shipping Containers

Back in 2023, when the forced relocation cast a shadow over Dzaleka, we—alongside the Civil Society Coalition on Migration—supported groups of refugees who lost their livelihoods in the process. Their farm produce and goods—carefully stored in shipping containers—were confiscated overnight, while others saw their small businesses looted within the very communities they once called home.

We guided them through the available legal pathways, yet the environment was intimidating. With arbitrary arrests and sudden deportations common at the time, many refugees chose to protect their lives rather than pursuing justice.

But one courageous refugee businessman, Jean-Claude Mbarubukeye took his case to court and relied on us for representation. After two years of  waiting and hoping, he has finally repossessed his four shipping containers—part of the 125 seized from the refugees during the 2023 forced relocation exercise.

Led by human rights lawyer Felisah Mitambo, his case became one of the first to successfully challenge the government’s confiscations in court.

Carrying the same hope that saw Mbarubukeye reclaim his containers, we recently reconnected with the business owners, as their shipping containers still sit at the National Police Headquarters despite being cleared of suspicions of holding dangerous weapons.

Our team worked with them to chart a path forward and is in talks with officials at the Ministry of Homeland Security to advocate for their repossession. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all who give so faithfully, for it is such generosity that has made this progress possible and continues to empower our work for refugees across Malawi.