REFUGEE ALERT: COME 30TH APRIL NO ANGOLAN REFUGEES ALLOWED IN ZAMBIA

All Angolan refugees still resident in Zambia will lose their status by Monday next week.

The Zambian government has announced that the measure is effective 30^th April 2012.

This is according to a notice of cessation issued on Wednesday.

The Zambian government says it will work closely with UNHCR to give effect to the cessation of refugee status for the Angolan refugees.

This is accordance with the relevant principles and procedures of international refugee law.
Angolan refugees, who will not avail themselves for repatriation and continue to live in Zambia after 30th June, 2012, will be regulated under the immigration law.

Since the end of the civil war in Angola in April 2002, over 180,000 Angolan refugees have voluntarily and safely returned to and reintegrated into their country of origin.