The United Nations refugee agency has started repatriating hundreds of Burundian refugees back to their country from neighbouring Tanzania.
The government commissioner for the Kigoma region in northwestern Tanzania on Friday confirmed that the UNHCR had helped 300 refugees return home using public transport.
At least 12,000 Burundian refugees are said to have signed up for the voluntary repatriation program.
According to Maganga, an agreement between the UNHCR and Tanzania authorities will see 300 Burundians return home every week.
More than 240,000 Burundian refugees have sought shelter in Tanzania. Most of them fled the political violence that gripped their country in 2015 following President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial declaration that he would run for another term. He went on to win the vote, though international observers reported that it was marred by electoral irregularities.
Tanzania’s government has been putting pressure on UNHCR to facilitate the repatriation of those refugees who want to return home.
The Burundian government has also increased calls for its citizens to return home, assuring them of peace and security.
