This archive report was first published on 1 September 2019.
On August 27, Burundi and Tanzania reached an agreement to repatriate Burundian refugees starting in October. However, this decision has raised alarm bells among the Burundian refugee community and human rights activists, who fear that it may provide a cover for forced removals.
The Burundian refugee community in Tanzania is concerned that the conditions in Burundi, which they fled due to politically inspired violence in 2015, are not conducive for a safe return. In contrast, the governments of Burundi and Tanzania believe that the conditions are suitable for repatriation. The disparity in perception between the refugees and the governments is partly due to the top-down decision-making process, which did not involve the refugees in the decision-making process.
Ordinarily, the return of refugees to their country of origin should not be contentious. However, in this case, the decision to repatriate the refugees has been met with skepticism by the refugee community. The refugees are concerned that the governments of Burundi and Tanzania cannot be trusted, given their perceived vested interests.
Repatriation should be a voluntary process, initiated by the victims of displacement themselves. However, in this case, the decision to repatriate the refugees was made by the governments without consulting the refugees. The refugees rely on informal networks of traders, travelers, and scouts to assess the conditions in Burundi, rather than official sources.
The repatriation process should be tailored to the unique needs of individual refugees. A blanket repatriation may not be suitable for all refugees, as some may face safety risks upon their return. Therefore, Burundi and Tanzania need to engage with the UNHCR to assess individual cases and avoid a blanket repatriation.
Repatriation involves a degree of displacement from an environment where some aspects of life were predictable. To blunt the trauma of repatriation, Burundi, Tanzania, and their partners need to take measures to ensure that returnees return to a stable, safe, and fear-free environment.
