More flee Caprivi Strip

The number of Namibians fleeing secessionist tensions in the Caprivi Strip to Botswana has steadily increased in recent days prompting the UNCHR to conduct fresh interviews with people claiming harassment and intimidation by the Namibian security forces in the area. A Botswana government spokesman told IRIN that the number of asylum seekers had risen from 1,200 on 15 December to 1,763 by Tuesday. “We had expected their number to stabilise at around 1,500, but this is not the case and there has been a steady increase,” the spokesman said. “We are not enthusiastic about this, but we are cooperating with all concerned under current international codes on asylum to give them shelter and process their applications. They have a perception, right or wrong, that they are being persecuted.” UNHCR said it had dispatched an official to Botswana to interview the latest arrivals and assess the problem. The refugees include an additional 1,000 San bushmen who have not formally sought asylum. Those who have crossed the border since late October include the former leader of Namibia’s opposition Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), Mishake Muyongo, Senator Francis Sizimbo, Caprivi Strip governor, John Mabuku, and a traditional leader, Boniface Mamila.