DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania said it is ensuring that the repatriation of Burundian refugees is voluntary, safe and conducted with dignity, responding to concerns over the ongoing return process.
The government denied allegations of forced returns, saying all repatriations are carried out in line with domestic and international legal obligations.
“Tanzania remains fully committed to ensuring that every repatriation is voluntary, safe and conducted with dignity,” said Sudi Mwakibasi, director of refugee services in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He said Tanzania is working with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Burundian government to ensure refugees make informed decisions before returning home.
Tanzania has hosted Burundian refugees for decades, including those who fled violence in 1972, during civil conflict between 1993 and 2005, and political unrest in 2015.
Officials said voluntary repatriation has long been considered the most sustainable solution when conditions allow. A 2001 tripartite agreement between Tanzania, Burundi and UNHCR facilitated the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees between 2002 and 2012.
Those who chose to remain were later granted Tanzanian citizenship, a move widely seen as a significant humanitarian gesture.
The current repatriation programme, targeting refugees who fled in 2015, was formalised under a renewed tripartite framework in 2017, which reaffirmed voluntary return as the preferred long-term solution.
Since then, more than 242,000 Burundian refugees have returned home voluntarily, according to government figures.
Authorities said recent joint assessments with UNHCR indicate that most remaining refugees no longer face immediate protection risks, with challenges now largely linked to economic conditions such as access to land and basic services.
Tanzania says conditions right for Burundian refugees to return home
At a tripartite commission meeting held in Dar es Salaam in November 2025, stakeholders agreed on a roadmap to accelerate returns in an orderly manner.
The government also addressed concerns over camp procedures, including the posting of returnee lists and dismantling of shelters, describing them as standard practices to facilitate organised departures and maintain security.
Officials said shelters are typically dismantled by refugees themselves so materials can be reused upon return, while camp consolidation helps prevent risks associated with abandoned structures.
Tanzania rejected claims of coercion, reiterating its adherence to the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to situations where they may face harm.
International observers, including diplomats and humanitarian agencies, have monitored the process, with authorities saying their assessments confirm compliance with international standards.
Officials also pointed to declining humanitarian funding as a factor affecting conditions in refugee camps, arguing that prolonged displacement under strained resources is not sustainable.
They added that improved stability in Burundi and the government’s readiness to receive returnees have created conditions conducive to reintegration, particularly for children and young people.