Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Fides Service) - More than 300,000 Burundian refugees in Tanzania had good reason to celebrate yesterday 20 June, World Refugee Day, in fact they are preparing to return to their own country. The peace agreement signed in 2003 by the Burundian government and the main rebel group, the Forces for the Defence of Democracy FDD, opened a new page in the political life of Burundi. Although not all the fighting has stopped because the other guerrilla group FLN, National Liberation Forces has not yet signed a peace pact, in large zones of the country conditions of security have been re-established and this allows the return of refugees.
One reason why the refugees are in a hurry to return to Burundi are the elections scheduled for 31 October this year. They want to play a role in rebuilding the country and enjoy the newly restored democracy.
Since the beginning of this year to facilitate the return of refugees to Burundi every Tuesday and Friday the United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR has been organising trucks and buses from Tanzania to Burundi. Hundreds of people have been ferried from camps in Tanzania back to Burundi and Karago refugee camp is being rapidly emptied. UNHCR hopes by the end of 2004 to repatriate at least 150,000 Burundian refugees from Tanzania. Since January more than 32,000 Burundians have returned to their country. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/672004 righe 21 parole 241)
