Large-scale refugee repatriation begins from Tanzania

A large-scale operation to repatriate thousands of refugees from Tanzania began on Thursday, with approximately 430 people, a spokesman from the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirmed to IRIN. A total of 500 had been expected, but only about 430 had actually gone, he added. The first convoy, going from Ngara in western Tanzania through the Kobero border crossing, would stop in a transit camp in Songore for one or two days. The refugees would then be transported to their respective homes, mostly in the northern provinces of Muyinga, Ngozi and Cankuzo. Meanwhile, former Vice-President Frederic Bamvuginyumira has added his voice to those who are expressing reservations about the repatriation campaign. "It is inconceivable to think of a movement to return refugees to their homeland as long as the war continues," he said on Burundi Bonesha radio on Tuesday. "Repatriation of refugees: it is a very difficult issue. Why is so difficult? This is because the refugees will tell you they fled the country following the outbreak of the war. The war has not yet come to and end," he said. Saying that a "favourable environment" was not yet there, he added that the internally displaced people in Burundi must also return to their homes. As of 25 March, 48,000 people had signed up with UNHCR officials to be repatriated under a tripartite agreement with the Tanzanian and Burundi governments. Both these governments have actively been encouraging the refugees to go home in recent months, while UNHCR has declared itself prepared to assist those who wish to go home voluntarily, without encouraging them.