Neighbouring countries prepare for possible influx

As the political turmoil in Zimbabwe continues, the country’s neighbours in southern Africa are preparing for an influx of Zimbabweans.

Mengesha Kebede, UNCHR representative in South Africa, told IRIN on Wednesday that a planning meeting was held on 28 April with countries in region to review the current situation in Zimbabwe and to “formulate some kind of contingency planning should there be a large external displacement of Zimbabweans”.

“We discussed what we would possibly do if there was to be a large outflow of people,” Kebede said. “However we appeal to those in Zimbabwe and the international community to prevent the calamity of the displacement of people. However, as the internationally sanctioned agency we will be prepared should the need arise.”

Kebede said what could happen was that individual Zimbabweans would begin seeking political asylum in various countries in the region. “So far, there has only one case in Botswana of a Zimbabwean applying for asylum,” he said.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday that they were concerned about the impact a large exodus of Zimbabweans would have on the region’s ability to take care of refugees. “Already the resources of host nations such as Zambia and Botswana are stretched to capacity,” a diplomat said.

On Wednesday, Botswana media reports quoted the chief immigration officer at Ramokgwebana border post, Moikwaledi Baleki, as saying that in recent weeks there had been a “dramatic increase” in the number of Zimbabweans entering Botswana.