Rwanda ready to repatriate Burundi refugees

KIGALI, Rwanda

The Government of Rwanda says it stands ready to facilitate any refugees who wish to voluntarily repatriate in the wake of reports that Burundian refugees currently living in the country have requested for talks between governments of both countries to help them return home.

Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District hosts about 60,000 Burundian refugees

A brief statement issued by the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management, without mentioning a specific group of refugees or country, said that Rwanda, which hosts about 150, 000 refugees from Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is willing to facilitate a dignified return of refugees to their countries of origin.

“Rwanda reaffirms the principle of voluntary repatriation as a durable solution for refugees, in accordance with international and Rwandan law,”

“Rwanda reiterates its commitment to the protection of refugees on its territory, and stands ready to facilitate the safe and dignified return of those refugees who choose to repatriate, in collaboration with UNHCR and relevant governments,” the government statement said.

The government position came following a letter signed by about 311 refugees addressed to the President of Burundi, requesting their government to engage with the government of Rwanda and relevant organisations to facilitate them to return home.

However, not all the Burundian refugees in Rwanda, which are about 72, 000, have expressed willingness to return, with one section saying that the conditions are not yet convincing, despite the country’s new President Major General Evariste Ndayishimiye declaring, upon taking office in June, that doors were open for refugees to freely return.

Majority of the refugees fled the country following the political crisis that gripped Burundi in 2015 when the then President, the late Pierre Nkurunziza decided to seek a third term, leading to countrywide protests as people opposed the move.

Armed forces cracked down on demonstrators, unleashing brutal force against those who opposed President Nkurunziza’s extended rule, leading to close to half a million people fleeing to neighbouring countries, mainly Rwanda, Tanzania and DRC.

In their letter, the refugees said that there is hope for security under President Ndayishimiye’s rule, following his promise that there will not be any revenge exerted upon political opponents, though some who are opposed to the return say that the conditions didn’t change much despite the new government.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) confirmed it received information on the petition, with the United Nation’s body charged with refugees reiterating that it will facilitate those who wish to voluntarily return.

“Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Burundi, we request you to repatriate us with dignity and legality as your children. We request you to initiate a dialogue between Burundi, the UNHCR and Rwanda so that we enjoy our right to return to our dear homeland with dignity,” the letter dated July 26, 2020, reads.

The letter, which has a list of signatories, with their full names and identities, says the refugees are willing to return home and participate in the country’s development after five years in exile. They said they are convinced that the conditions that led to their fleeing in 2015 are no longer existent.

“We fled the country following a crisis that gripped the country following the 3rd term. We believe these conditions are no longer relevant. The political crisis is no longer there,”

“The demonstrations or the insurrectional movement which led to the crisis are no longer there. As of now, nothing can justify that we remain in exile with all these untenable living conditions,” said Emmanuel Bizimana, a member of the signatories, who emphasises that returning home is a right that is not negotiable.

Bizimana says that though their safety is not 100 percent guaranteed, there is reason to believe that the conditions are favourable for their return.

There are about 72, 000 Burundi refugees in Rwanda, with about 60, 000 of them living in Mahama Camp, located in Kirehe district while over 5, 000 are urban refugees, who were mainly members of the political elite who fell out with President Nkurunziza and the ruling party CNDD-FDD.

“It is difficult to gauge the willingness of refugees to return home based on the 311 signatures. They cannot speak for all the refugee. Majority still feel it is not yet safe but this is a good sign to test the conditions,” says Bertrand Niyigize, an urban refugee who runs a small business in Kigali.

Niyigize says that the reaction and willingness of the Burundian government will determine whether more refugees can return home and be assured of their safety.

“Those who are considered ‘political refugees’ who openly opposed President Nkurunziza’s overstay in office won’t feel safe to return home, fearing revenge attacks. Besides, there are those who lost their properties and money, there must be a clear plan to settle their grievances before they return,” he says.

In their letter, the signatories accuse opposition leaders, the media and political activists of standing in their way to repatriate.

On Monday, Burundi’s Ministry of Interior, Community Development and Public Security, which is charged with the repatriation of refugees, confirmed on Twitter that it has heard of the letter, through social media and will wait for it to arrive before it takes the next course of action.

“Letter (social networks) requesting the repatriation of Burundian refugees from Mahama in Rwanda: The Ministry will wait for it to reach the addressee [President], who will give it orientation to start the process of their dignified and legal repatriation as quickly as possible,” the Ministry said.