THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR AFFAIRS, Engineer Hamad Masauni has asked the International Community and partners of humanitarian affairs to support the process of voluntarily returning Burundian refugees to their country by fixing the internal environment of the country.
Speaking at the 73rd session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations Organization for Refugees (UNHCR), when he was presenting the Government's statement at the Session, in Geneva, Switzerland, today, Minister Masauni said the Government of Burundi, Tanzania and UNHCR through the session of the Tripartite, they agreed that in order to return the refugees to their country, the situation in the internal environment of Burundi must be the same.
Masauni added that Burundi is currently at peace and the refugees who are in Nyarugusu and Nduta camps in Kigoma Region can be returned to them voluntarily, so the International Development Partners can make the process successful by helping Burundi so that the refugees can return to their country.
"In order for this plan to be successful, the environment in Burundi must be the same, so that when the refugees leave they cannot return to the country, so we have asked the international unity and humanitarian partners to help the Government of Burundi to ensure that they first create a good environment for the citizens of Burundi to return to their country and continue to stay there, and also continue to support the services of refugees in our country," said Masauni.
In addition, Minister Masauni congratulated the High Commissioner of UNHCR, Filippo Grandi for being appointed once again in that position for another two and a half years.
The five-day session that started on October 10, 2022 continues in Geneva where representatives from various countries in the world continue to present information on refugees and discuss with the participants of the session.
By Felix Mwagara, MoHA, Geneva.