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Burundi refugees fear going home
2008-02-27 09:24:53
By Rose Mwalongo
With hardly three months left before all refugee camps in Western Tanzania are closed, most Burundian refugees are reluctant to go back home.
A week-long survey in Burundi, Ngara, Kibondo and Kasulu in Tanzania has revealed that some refugees fear being slain upon arrival.
A survey conducted at Lukole, Nduta and Mtabila camps indicates that most of them are reluctant to go home due to horrific experiences of the past civil war.
A trembling Abarugila Pascal at Lukole camp in Ngara said in an interview: ``I witnessed people slay my father before my own eyes. I would rather commit suicide than go back to Burundi.``
Pascal`s brother, Ndikumana Bericomas, said he once attempted to return but some people came and torched his home.
``I had thought it was okay to return home. Luckily enough, I ran away, but will not go back there once more,`` said Bericomas, who lives at Lukole camp.
Nyosa Agnes at Nduta camp in Kibondo said she could not return to her home country, adding: ``They invite you to go back home, then slaughter you upon arrival.
They killed my husband and children. How would I be assured of my own safety in such a situation? I can’t go back there because I am afraid.``
Shirimiriwana Sophia at Nduta said her heart resisted the idea of returning to Burundi for fear that someone might slay her.
``How can I go, knowing for sure that my husband got killed right there? queried Sophia. Patrick Nigogolo living at Nduta said someone once came to the camp and vowed that he would kill him upon his return to Burundi.
``My mother, my six brothers and sisters were killed by a hand grenade. Someone followed me here and vowed to kill me once I returned to Burundi. I call upon the
Government of Tanzania to find another place to send me so that I can live in peace,`` said Nigogolo, while trembling.
Mpebuye Kilemazi, who works as a local vigilante in the same camp, said she had arrested a number of bandits who were back home and had vowed to kill her upon return.
``One of our colleague went back home. They attempted to kill her but she escaped. This is a real problem because we have refugees from all provinces in Burundi. They will find you wherever you go because the country is too small for one to hide.
I need help from Tanzania so that I can remain here,`` said a somber looking Kilemazi.
This reporter had a hard time when she tried to leave the camp as she was surrounded by tens of refugees, who sought her help so that they would be allowed to remain in the country.
The situation was no different at Mtabila camp in Kasulu where refugees refused even to raise their hands when they were asked how many of them loved Burundi.
Most reacted negatively when the Burundi Minister for National Solidarity, Repatriation, National Reconstruction, Human Rights and Gender
Immaculate Nahayo told them to go back home because peace was not brought about by any individual but through joint efforts.
Commenting on how he felt about going home, Neu Ganaye at Mtabila camp said he was ready to go but was afraid of what he had heard through the radio.
``We hear people being slain and those responsible being arrested and later released. We are told that the Government kills people belonging to FNL party,`` said Ganaye.
Speaking for other refugees, Gisala Phenihas told
Minister Nahayo that the government should form a coalition with the rebel FNL if peace was to be restored.
``Just form a coalition government. I can assure you that all refugees here will board a truck and head home on the following day,`` said Phenihas amid applause.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Minister Nahayo said the refugees’ response was no doubt negative.
``Most of them don`t want to return voluntarily. There are people within and outside the camp who convince them not to return. Some might have been willing but are now afraid because of what they hear,`` said Nahayo.
Earlier, minister Nahayo blamed some media houses in Burundi for blowing the situation out of proportion.
She told refugees that they should not believe everything they heard from the radio or what they read in newspapers as some of the media did so for the sake of selling news.
Tanzania will close the Lukole and Nduta camps in June this year while Mtabila will be closed at the end of this year.
At least 112,797 Burundian refugees are living in the three camps with the support of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, in collaboration with other organizations.
An additional 218,238 Burundian refugees from the 1972 influx are living in self-sufficient settlements in Tabora and Rukwa regions.
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