UN to resume repatriation of Angolans from Zambia

GENEVA – The United Nations said on Tuesday it would resume repatriating Angolan refugees from Zambia after tens of thousands missed a year-end deadline for receiving UN resettlement assistance.

Zambia had requested the voluntary repatriation programme be extended by one year, spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said. Half a million Angolans fled to nearby countries during 28 years of civil war.Since a 2002 peace deal more than 360 000 are estimated to have gone home, including 63 000 Angolans in Zambia who received UNHCR help.Many of the 16 000 Angolans in the largest refugee camp at Nangweshi in the southwest, who mainly fled in the latter stages of war, have indicated they want to return home, Pagonis added.Some missed last year’s deadline because they were unsure of conditions in Angola, she said.- Nampa-ReutersHalf a million Angolans fled to nearby countries during 28 years of civil war.Since a 2002 peace deal more than 360 000 are estimated to have gone home, including 63 000 Angolans in Zambia who received UNHCR help.Many of the 16 000 Angolans in the largest refugee camp at Nangweshi in the southwest, who mainly fled in the latter stages of war, have indicated they want to return home, Pagonis added.Some missed last year’s deadline because they were unsure of conditions in Angola, she said.- Nampa-Reuters