Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Selma Iyambo
Published on 2024-03-17 06:00:00
The Angolan street children who were previously seen wandering the streets of Windhoek, selling wooden items and begging for money, have now disappeared, and their whereabouts are unknown. The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare has passed on this matter to the Angolan embassy, who in turn referred it back to the Namibian authorities. The Executive Director of International Relations and Cooperation, Penda Naanda, has also redirected the issue to the gender ministry.
Despite the efforts of the government to address this issue, including repatriation of some children back to Angola and housing others at the Namibia Children’s Home in Windhoek, there are still concerns about the missing children. Human rights activist Linda Baumann has raised national concerns about the lack of information regarding the whereabouts and well-being of these children. She emphasizes the need for thorough investigations and urgent allocation of resources to address this matter.
Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo criticizes the government for the lack of information on the issue, suggesting that authorities seem overwhelmed and ineffective in handling the situation. Reports indicate that the children are still spotted in various towns like Ondangwa, Swakopmund, and Oshakati, posing a serious human rights concern. The Oshana regional commander commissioner Naftal Sakaria has acknowledged the issue but expressed uncertainty about how to care for the children, highlighting the need for an interim center for their accommodation.
Sakaria explains the challenges faced by the police in dealing with the issue, as the children continue to reappear in different towns after operations to confiscate their items. He mentions the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders at the Danger Ashipala Training Centre in Ondangwa, where the children were placed in December 2022. These stakeholders include representatives from the ministry of gender, officials from the towns where the children are seen, and consulates from the Angolan government.
Despite the immigration’s ability to round up the children, Sakaria stresses the need for a proper facility to accommodate them and ensure their well-being while determining their country of origin. He calls for a bilateral solution to this issue to find a permanent resolution. The ongoing efforts of various stakeholders to address the plight of these Angolan street children highlight the importance of cooperation and collaboration to safeguard the rights and welfare of vulnerable children in Namibia.
Read the original article on The Namibian
