Hassan Magulumali
The government has announced plans to conduct interviews with Burundian refugees currently sheltered in Tanzania, as part of efforts to find a lasting solution for their status by January 2025. This move aims to listen to the refugees and make informed decisions regarding their status in accordance with national, regional, and international laws.
This statement was made today in Kigoma by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Daniel Sillo, as he concluded his visit alongside Burundi’s Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Community Development, and Public Security, Nibona Bonansize, to the Nyarugusu and Nduta refugee camps in Kigoma.
Sillo stated that the government will take this step if the number of refugees voluntarily returning to Burundi remains low, following two meetings held by the ministers with the refugees, where they were briefed on the security situation in Burundi.
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“This return is voluntary, as per our agreements, but as a government, we urge and emphasize that they return to rebuild their country, Burundi, as it is now safe,” Sillo stressed.
He added that the government has a specific plan to conduct house-to-house assessments after this period to understand each refugee’s situation, including why they fled and why they are hesitant to return when their country is now secure.
“We will conduct thorough assessments, individual by individual, family by family, to ensure we understand the reasons why they are reluctant to return home. However, we continue to encourage them, with the goal and intention of ensuring they safely return to their homeland, Burundi,” Sillo said.
