As the world observes World Refugee Day, Malawi-based human rights organisation Inua Advocacy has issued a statement urging greater accountability, compassion, and protection for refugees, particularly in light of recent troubling reports involving Congolese asylum seekers.
In its statement signed by Chief Executive Officer Innocent Magambi, Inua Advocacy reaffirmed its unwavering support for displaced populations worldwide, highlighting the deepening crisis faced by millions forced to flee war, persecution, and political unrest.
The organisation voiced concern over what it called a “worrying global trend” of wealthy nations increasingly turning inward—closing borders, criminalising migration, and politicising asylum processes.
“Powerful nations that once stood as beacons of human rights are now fortifying their borders, despite full awareness of the root causes of displacement,” the statement read.
Despite these global shifts, Malawi’s enduring hospitality toward refugees continues to shine, even amid economic constraints. The country’s open-door approach has earned it the moniker “The Warm Heart of Africa,” and Inua Advocacy emphasized this legacy of compassion.
“In Malawi, we are guided by the spirit of Ubuntu—‘I am because we are,’” said Inua Advocacy CEO Innocent Magambi. “Refugees are not strangers; they are fellow human beings deserving of dignity and protection. We welcome not out of convenience, but out of conviction.”
However, Inua Advocacy expressed deep concern over recent incidents involving Congolese asylum seekers, alleging serious violations of both domestic and international refugee protections.
According to the organisation, a group of asylum seekers was misled by immigration officers, who reportedly moved them from Karonga to Chitipa under the guise of relocating them to Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Instead, they were allegedly pushed back across the border into Tanzania.
Further reports have surfaced of arrests in Mzuzu and forced deportations via Rumphi into Zambia, raising alarm over potential breaches of human rights.
“These actions mirror the troubling events of forced relocations that occurred two years ago and remain unresolved,” Inua stated.
Meanwhile, Inua Advocacy is urging the Malawian government to take swift action by launching an independent investigation into reported incidents, ensuring accountability, and strengthening legal protections for asylum seekers.
Magambi emphasizes that as global refugee support declines, Malawi has both the opportunity and responsibility to lead by example and remain a haven.
World Refugee Day, commemorated annually on June 20, honours the strength and resilience of refugees around the globe. Inua Advocacy’s statement serves as a powerful reminder that human rights must remain central to national policy—especially in times of global retreat.
