Police Arrest Illegal Burundian Nationals in Lilongwe, Prompting Closure of Businesses, Detainment

Lilongwe, Malawi - Residents of Area 49 Proper in Lilongwe were awakened Wednesday by the sound of heavily armed police arresting more than 10 illegal Burundian nationals residing in the area, writes Naome Chisala.

The Burundians were apprehended for living and operating businesses without permits.

Some Burundians managed to flee, while others sought refuge in their shops upon receiving tip-offs from fellow nationals about the police presence.

As a result of the arrests, businesses owned by Burundians have been shut down, and the individuals have been taken into custody at Maula Prison.

Following their imprisonment, they will be transferred to the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa.

Although the police declined to be interviewed, they have issued a warning to residents against vandalizing or stealing property belonging to the Burundian nationals.

Area 49 Proper is home to a community of more than 100 Burundians, who have established small businesses such as grocery shops, barbershops, liquor shops, salons, and tailoring shops, alongside Malawian nationals.

These Burundians arrived in the area in 1994, seeking refuge from the Burundian Civil War that spanned from 1993 to 2005.

Initially held at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, many managed to escape and found illegal employment in Area 49 Proper.

Over time, the Burundians have integrated into Malawian society, adopting the national language, Chichewa, and forming families with Malawians. However, tensions between Burundians and local Malawians have escalated.

Eunice, a resident of Area 49 Proper, expressed concerns about Burundians charging higher prices compared to local businesses.

She noted, "Many of the businesses that operate here are owned by Burundians, and we locals feel that our jobs and businesses are being taken over."

Jim, a local businessman, echoed Eunice's sentiments, stating, "Burundians who live here operate the same businesses as the locals.

There is too much competition, and since many businesses in this area are owned by Burundians, we locals often lose customers to them."

Upon completion of their imprisonment at Maula Prison, the detainees will be transferred to the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, situated in the neighbouring Dowa district.

The camp, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), currently hosts over 50,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Somalia.

Originally designed to accommodate 10,000 refugees, the camp now suffers from severe overcrowding, limited resources, water scarcity, food shortages, and disease outbreaks.

In 2021, the Malawian government ordered integrated refugees to return to the camp due to concerns about national security posed by their presence among local communities.

The situation in Dzaleka Refugee Camp remains a pressing humanitarian challenge, with the camp struggling to meet the needs of its overwhelming population.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of interviewees