While the population of Dadaab refugee camp mainly comprises of Somali refugees there are minority groups here as well. Asylum seekers from different countries in eastern Africa and they say if and when the camp is closed they don’t know where their next home will be.
“Since we came here life has not been bad it has been good, the badness is that you can’t move around you have to stay here, because security is tight here always… ” Ojulu said.
Okunju Ojulu fled conflict in Ethiopia’s Gambella Region in 2004, Today nearly 8,000 people from this ethnic region live in Dadaab
In mid-April this year South Sudanese militia raided a village in the region killing 200 people and kidnapping women and children and that’s why returning home, is not an option.
” We are confused now on where to go, I want to go to the third country, What UN can tell us is that we go to the third country so we are waiting…. ” says Ojulu.
The Kenyan government has not given any details on the closure procedures, It assigned a task force to give recommendations by May 31st . There are those who believe that minorities will be transferred to Kakuma, Kenya’s second refugee camp.
“We can’t go to Kakuma it is next to Ethiopia and we fear we could be attacked there…” Ojulu explained
Not far from where Ojulu lives is the section, home to Congolese refugees. Most, like Saidi Welongo, fled here in 2007.
Chairman of Congolese refugees
“Its not a bad decision to close the camp….as long as they settle us somewhere else we are fine as long as they don’t make us go back home…” Saidi said.
2015 estimates show that 5% of the camp’s population is made up of minorities this means nearly 20,000 minority asylum seekers will also be affected by the looming closure of Dadaab.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated that the camp will be closed, however keen to note that the process will be handled carefully….
The likes of Saidi can only hope the government remains true to it’s promise.
