By Charles Kamphilipili Chisi:
Malawi continues to face a growing challenge of irregular migration as migrants from the Horn of Africa increasingly use the country as a transit route to South Africa and other southern African destinations.
Every year, groups of Ethiopians and other foreign nationals enter Malawi through porous borders, often travelling through remote routes on their way south.
This migration trend has become a major security concern not only for Malawi but also for neighbouring countries, which accuse transit states of failing to control cross-border movements.
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Yet despite the presence of immigration offices in Chitipa and Songwe, the two main northern entry points into Malawi, irregular migration remains widespread and difficult to contain.
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The challenge goes beyond the existence of immigration offices. Conditions on the ground reveal deep structural weaknesses, poor resourcing and inadequate regional cooperation that continue to undermine efforts to combat irregular migration.
The Chitipa District Immigration Office faces significant operational challenges. It is responsible for monitoring a vast and highly porous border with Zambia and Tanzania.
Much of the border consists of mountainous terrain, forests, rivers and unmarked crossing points that are difficult to monitor effectively because of limited personnel and inadequate transport.
Once irregular migrants enter Malawi, there are no effective immigration checkpoints along the M1 and M5 roads, the country’s main transport corridors linking the north and south. As a result, many travel through the country without being intercepted.
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The problem is compounded by reports that some irregular migrants present themselves as refugees.
While Malawi is internationally recognised for protecting genuine refugees through Dzaleka Refugee Camp, there are concerns that some migrants exploit the refugee system as temporary cover before continuing to South Africa.
Others reportedly register at the camp before leaving to continue their journey.
The lack of consistent internal immigration enforcement, coupled with the limited effectiveness of the Malawi- Tanzania Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, has worsened the situation.
The commission was established to strengthen bilateral cooperation on border management, human trafficking, transnational crime and irregular migration.
However, the continued movement of undocumented migrants from Tanzania into Malawi highlights weaknesses in its implementation.
Malawi and Tanzania must move beyond diplomatic commitments and adopt practical, intelligence-led cooperation.
The two countries should establish permanent joint border patrols in areas known for irregular crossings.
They should also coordinate anti-human trafficking operations targeting the criminal networks that facilitate illegal migration. Arresting migrants alone will not solve the problem while smugglers continue to operate.
Community involvement should also form part of the solution. Border communities often notice suspicious movements before authorities do.
Governments should strengthen community policing structures and encourage residents to report trafficking and smuggling activities without fear.
For Malawi, the government should strengthen the capacity of the Chitipa District Immigration Office by providing adequate resources for border patrols.
It should also establish more immigration checkpoints along the M1 and M5 roads to detect undocumented migrants and disrupt trafficking routes.
Most importantly, the government must treat immigration management as a national security priority rather than a secondary administrative function.
Without greater investment in border security and immigration management, porous borders will continue to undermine national security while criminal smuggling networks operate unchecked.
The challenge facing Malawi is not simply about stopping migrants.
It is about protecting the integrity of national borders, strengthening regional security cooperation and ensuring that migration management remains effective, humane and credible.
