Security evaluation before regroupment camps are disbanded

The Burundi government will first carry out a security evaluation exercise before disbanding the much-criticised regroupment camps in the country. "In principle, we have agreed to close the camps, but a security evaluation exercise has to be carried out to determine whether it is safe for people," presidential spokesman Apollinaire Gahungu told IRIN. "This is not going to take long," he added. On 30 January, the 'Guardian' newspaper of Tanzania quoted "well-informed sources" as saying the Burundi government had allowed more than 80,000 civilians, who were being accommodated in 10 regroupment camps, to go home. International organisations have condemned the regroupment policy, but the government says it is aimed at protecting civilians from rebel attacks. The Burundi foreign minister recently announced at the UN Security Council that 10 camps in Bujumbura Rural would be closed "soon".