Burundi Government Urges Refugees in Tanzania to Return Home to Safety

The Government of Burundi is encouraging all refugees who fled to Tanzania to return home, assuring them of their safety and security. This message was delivered by Nibona Valentino Celestin, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Burundi, during a meeting held on Wednesday at the Nyarugusu camp. The meeting included representatives from the Governments of Tanzania and Burundi, along with officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Minister Nibona emphasized that Burundi has solid plans in place to ensure the safe return of refugees. He also mentioned that the government is committed to helping returnees rebuild their lives and support their families.

However, some Burundian refugees living in the Nyarugusu camp expressed concerns during the meeting. They believe that Burundi needs to address ongoing security issues before inviting people to return.

The Tanzanian government acknowledged that the current efforts to resettle refugees have not been as effective as hoped. Since January, over 9,260 refugees have returned to Burundi, while more than 28,456 have been relocated from camps. Mr. John Was, the newly appointed Director of Refugees in Kigoma District, shared these updates.

The UNHCR reaffirmed its commitment to providing adequate support to refugees and ensuring that international refugee laws are upheld.

Despite regular voluntary repatriation meetings being held at Nduta and Nyarugusu camps, the number of refugees choosing to return home has decreased significantly. Many believe this decline is due to ongoing security concerns.