Burundi Facing Many Issues With Reintroducing and Dealing With Displaced Persons

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

BUJUMBURA, Burundi - After years of refugee life in Tanzania, thousands of Burundians have returned to their native land, only to find greater challenges facing them.  The greatest challenges seem to be finding land to farm, and general shelter from the elements.   While some of the refugees had been away from Burundi since the early 1970’s, others had never even seen their homeland, having been born in the Tanzanian-run refugee camps.

Upon return, many of the repatriated found their houses destroyed or occupied by other people, despite a mandate from local officials stating that a returnee must have a “50m x 50m space to build a house regardless of the availability of his [or her] land."

While materials for shelter can be provided, land is at a premium.  This, according to government officials, has led to disputes over land, many of which have become criminal. Despite recognizing that there is a problem with land for the displaced, and that it could develop into a further issue, the government acknowledges their ability to assist the situation is limited, due to inadequate resources.  According to an official, reintegration of the returnees is not viable "if you resettle the returnees and they have no water, no health-centre nearby.”

Other Burundian refugees have been left stranded following the close of South African refugee camps.  Acasia camp, in northern South Africa, was officially declared closed by the government days ago, leaving many without resettlement options.  According to reports, courts have mandated the camps stay open, but many people are still leaving the camps because of financial motives.  Each refugee who leaves is reportedly being offered $55 U.S.D. to leave, leading some to the conclusion that “humanitarian aid is used more [to] lure people out of the camps than for helping them.”

Elsewhere in the country, the nearly two hundred albinos who reside in Burundi are fleeing the country due to targeted attacks by gangs of witchdoctors attempting to sell their body parts.  While the police is attempting to help the siege on the albinos, many are still being targeted and live in fear.

For more information, please see:

VOA  - Camp Closure in South Africa Leaves Hundreds of Migrants Stranded - 6 October 2008

IOL - Albinos Seek Protection After Vicious Attacks -  3 October 2008

IRIN - Niger Arrests Mali Militia After Killings - 6 October 2008

BBC News – Albinos in Burundi flee killings – 2 October 2008