Defence minister meets Tanzanian counterpart on refugees

The defence ministers of Burundi and Tanzania met in Dar es Salaam over the weekend to discuss the issue of refugees and strained relations between the two countries, according to various reports. Burundian Defence Minister Cyrille Ndayirukiye arrived in the city on Saturday for discussions with his Tanzanian counterpart Philemon Sarungi to try and resolve some of the problems. A joint statement issued on Sunday stated that the two countries would set up commissions to deal with the resettlement of hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees living along Tanzania’s western border.

The statement said the refugees could be repatriated to Burundi or resettled in “other countries”. Tanzania has been growing increasingly edgy about the continuing presence of the refugees, saying they are a burden on the country. According to the BBC, Sarungi accused the Burundian army of committing border violations. Burundi, for its part, accuses Tanzania of allowing the camps to be used as recruitment bases for the rebel Forces pour la defense de la democratie (FDD). The joint statement described the consultations between the defence ministers as “frank and spirited”.

It also accused the media of exaggerating tensions between the two countries. Humanitarian sources told IRIN that ongoing arrangements are being made for the possible return of the refugees, including sensitising both the refugees and the host communities in Burundi on issues of land ownership and reconciliation. The sources say land will be a major issue when the refugees return, although Burundian army sources said there was enough land for everyone.