RC refutes reports of influx of Burundi refugees into Kigoma

 

By Saumu Mwalimu and Antony Kayanda

In Summary

UNHCR Country Representative Joyce Mend-Cole told this paper that until Wednesday evening, the camp had already registered a total of 36 new refugees, with 405 others reportedly stuck at Kagunga and Kibiza villages.

Dar es Salaam/Kigoma. While the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) has confirmed registering a number of refugees at the Nyarugusu Camp, Kigoma Regional Commissioner Issa Machibya has refuted reports that Burundians have started entering the country.

UNHCR Country Representative Joyce Mend-Cole told this paper that until Wednesday evening, the camp had already registered a total of 36 new refugees, with 405 others reportedly stuck at Kagunga and Kibiza villages.

She said, the number was however reported to be increasing and UNHCR was preparing to beef up its team to help in handling increasing refugees.

“Currently, the situation is not very bad, the one registered yesterday (Wednesday) were mainly women and children. We are looking for support from other stakeholders to go and pick those stuck on the other side of the lake,” she said.

On the other hand, Col Machibya said that although political stability in Burundi had been shaken following information that the current President Pierre Nkuruzinza would seek re-election for the third term, Kigoma residents should not be worried because the situation was not worse compared to that of the 1993/94 genocide.

“As of today (yesterday), we have not received any refugee and the security situation is stable, but the rumours that there are people running from Burundi have also caught our attention,” said Col Machibya.

Mnanila Ward Executive Officer Rogers Zoya refuted claims that some refugees crossed from neighbouring Burundi. His village is located at the border.

“I have been communicating with a leader from Gitara in Burundi which is close to my ward, he confirmed to me that the area is peaceful. The riots are only in Bujumbura,” the local leader said.

“The recent information that we have is that there are people from some of organisations telling people to run from Burundi… they are saying this to create tension, but again, whatever happens, we have been prepared to provide information to the relevant authorities in case we start receiving any,” he said.

Some of Kigoma residents have blamed the Burundi government for failure to settle political differences amicably, which resulted into displacement of people.

Mr Musa Masoud said that the country was supposed to learn from its former mistakes. He said, unrest in the country produced millions of refugees just a few year back.

Another resident, Mr Issa Ntaugeza, urged the government to strengthen security in the boarders with Burundi to control the number of refugees.