A group of former Namibian refugees who fled the country during past political unrest and have been camped outside the ruling SWAPO party headquarters in Windhoek since October 2025 say they will not leave until the United Nations (UN) provides a formal letter detailing plans for their repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement.
The group, organised under the Former Refugees Repatriation Association of Namibia (FRRAN), says more than 400 returnees from the 1989 liberation struggle were promised support that has not been delivered. They allege that while the UNHigh Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) facilitated repatriation, follow-up programmes for rehabilitation and resettlement were largely left unfulfilled, leaving many former refugees without adequate economic or social support.
UN representatives, including the resident co-ordinator, have reportedly told the group that available repatriation funds were fully used and that responsibility for further rehabilitation rests with the Namibian government. SWAPO officials, including party Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa, said the party did not receive any UN funds for these purposes, citing a lack of evidence in party records.
Following inconclusive discussions with both party and UN officials, FRRAN leaders say they plan to escalate their demands to President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah and may send representatives to the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva if necessary.
–ChannelAfrica–
