Influx of Burundi refugees drops

The number of Burundians fleeing to Tanzania amid threats of violence in the run-up to the presidential election has significantly dropped to approximately five from 1,000 plus a day.

 

The Home Affairs Ministry spokesperson Isaac Nantanga told 'The Guardian' newspaper yesterday that the number of refugees crossing into Tanzania though various boarder routes in Kigoma Region remained substantive for a week long.

 

Just last week we registered 56,564 Burundians who had crossed the border; he said “the number is equivalent to at least 1,000 and 2,000 people a day.”

 

The officer attributed efforts by the East African leaders’ regional summit backing up the elections be postponed by a month and half.

 

The leaders during their meeting in Dar es Salaam, May 30 categorically agreed not to call for Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to abandon his controversial bid for a third consecutive term, which has sparked weeks of civil unrest, a coup attempt and a refugee crisis.

 

Nkurunziza did not attend the summit, considering that during a first crisis meeting on May 13 in Tanzania's commercial capital, a top general launched an unsuccessful bid to oust him -- and the president was seen as being wary of again leaving the country.

 

 “The summit was concerned about the impasse in Burundi, strongly calling for a long postponement of the elections not less than a month and a half.”

 

A week later, President Pierre Nkurunziza declared new dates for disputed elections in Burundi, continuing a battle with opposition parties that have upended the nation for weeks.

 

The embattled president further set the presidential vote be held on July 15, while legislative elections will be on June 29.

 

Media reports said yesterday, the number of people killed during the civil unrest had clocked 70.

 

But the ministry spokesman admits that to some extent there has been a political stability –bringing the number of people seeking refuge to neighbouring East African nations lower than 10 a day.

 

Refugees’ co-coordinator in Kigoma zone, Tony Laizer did not unearth further details when contacted to clarify the matter.

 

Nantanga maintains the influx has dramatically dropped as many of the countrymen not in high tension.

 

He reiterated government endless support to improve refugee camps in the region to efficiently accommodate the group with better community services.

 

 Burundi which is a member of the East African Community has been facing civil strife after the ruling CNDD-FDD nominated President Piere Nkurunziza to vie for the presidency for another term contrary to the agreement.

 

The decision has sparked anger, with people demonstrating against the move.

 A score of people have been killed following the strife. Most of the refugees enter Tanzania through Kagunga border point and mostly come from Makamba and Lumonge areas, believed to be the most hit areas by the strife.

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN