UNHCR, Governments of Burundi and Tanzania agree to scale up voluntary repatriation to Burundi

Dar es Salaam - The Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Burundi, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) met in Tanzania this week for the 24th Meeting of the Tripartite Commission for the Voluntary Repatriation of Burundian Refugees living in the United Republic of Tanzania. Recognizing the generosity of the government and people of Tanzania in hosting Burundian refugees for decades, all parties agreed to reinforce promotion of voluntary repatriation to Burundi in accordance with the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement of May 2001.

The voluntary repatriation process will be guided by a well-defined roadmap established during the 28th Technical Working Group meeting held on 28 and 29 November 2023, which includes provisions such as the improvement of infrastructures, expansion of reception facilities and capacities for awareness raising and counselling, and registration for repatriation, to enable refugees to make informed decisions for voluntary repatriation and maximize resources.

It was also agreed that while the voluntary repatriation exercise is ongoing, Burundian refugees will continue to benefit from international protection in the United Republic of Tanzania.

"The Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Burundian people welcome with open arms all Burundian refugees who wish to repatriate. I personally call on those who remain in countries of asylum to make the right decision to return and contribute to the country's development work alongside other citizens", said Martin Niteretse, Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security.

“I would like to reaffirm the commitment of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, led by Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, to the principle of voluntary repatriation of refugees as provided by international refugee law. In result, the ongoing voluntary repatriation exercise for Burundian refugees will continue in accordance with the Tripartite Agreement,” said H.E. Mr. Hamad Masauni, Minister of Home Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Among other key recommendations, all parties agreed to facilitate the recognition of school certificates and vocational training obtained by refugees in the country of asylum upon return to the Republic of Burundi and the review of the cost-effectiveness of administering Burundian examinations in the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Commission also agreed to redouble efforts in resource mobilization to support the repatriation of refugees and reintegration of returnees.

“At UNHCR, we are committed to supporting governments to find durable solutions for refugees, and supporting people to return home once conditions allow, like we have in Burundi is critical,” said Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR's Regional Bureau Director for the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes. “We continue to appeal to the international community to support Burundi’s efforts to provide essential services and support to returnees and their communities which allow for sustainable returns, as well as support the ongoing voluntary repatriation efforts in Tanzania,” added Balde.

Since the start of the voluntary repatriation exercise in September 2017, more than 230,000 refugees have returned home to Burundi from neighboring countries, including over 161,000 from Tanzania.

As of the end of October 2023, around 248,000 Burundian refugees are hosted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Of these, around 155,000 refugees reside in the Nduta and Nyarugusu camps in Tanzania.

END

The final Joint Communique and related documents are available here in English and French.

For more information, please contact:

UNHCR:

In Dar es Salaam, Bahia Egeh, [email protected], +255 765168179

In Bujumbura, Bernard Ntwari, [email protected], +257 79918902

In Nairobi, Faith Kasina, [email protected], +254 113427094

Government of Tanzania:

Information Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs, [email protected], +255 262323189  

Government of Burundi:

Lt-Col Pierre Nkurikiye, Spokesperson, Ministry of Interior, Community Development and Public Security, [email protected], +257 69547366