Burundian refugees express gratitude to Rwanda for treating them with respect and equality

As part of a continuous bilateral effort to encourage Burundians to return home, the Rwandan government on Tuesday, November 25, assisted the voluntary repatriation of 115 Burundian refugees from 58 homes.

At the height of Burundi’s political crisis in 2015, the majority of the returnees fled to Rwanda.

Many expressed their appreciation for the protection and kind care they received during their stay as they got ready to return to their homeland on Tuesday through the Nemba Border Post in Bugesera District.

Seven urban refugees from Kigali were among those evacuated; the others had been living at the Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District. Together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Rwandan government backed the return effort.

Oscar Niyonkuru, a former fighter who escaped Burundi after fighting with opposition leader Agathon Rwasa, worked as a construction worker in Kigali, Rwanda, for ten years. He commended the safety of the nation and the fair treatment of refugees.

“When things back home went south, I came to Rwanda ten years ago,” Niyonkuru stated.

“We were treated with dignity in Rwanda. As a refugee, I cannot say that I have encountered any unique difficulties. The security that permitted us to live freely and start again like any other Rwandan was something I genuinely valued.

In Kigali, he said, Burundians and Rwandans had friendly and encouraging connections.

“I had a good rapport with Rwandans. I would immediately turn to my Rwandan or Burundian coworkers for assistance whenever I needed it, such as on days when I had earned nothing. They could similarly rely on me for support when they needed it.

After not seeing his wife and four kids for ten years, Niyonkuru made the decision to go back home.

“I chose to return to my family because my siblings assured me that the security situation is calm,” he added. “We have been communicating for years, but we have never actually met. As I start over in life, I’ll either carry on with the work I was doing in Kigali or attempt something different.

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After fleeing Burundi with two children, Aziz Bamuhorubusa returned with five, three of whom were born in Rwanda. She claimed that her decision to return was influenced by government awareness programs.

“After hearing the announcements encouraging us to return voluntarily, I am returning home with my five children,” she declared. “We were treated fairly and with dignity in Rwanda.” We never experienced any violence, and our rights as refugees were upheld. I’m going home in good health.

Bamuhorubusa says she looks forward to keeping up the friendships she made in Rwanda and expects to resurrect her small business once she returns to Burundi.

“We will visit our Rwandan friends who were generous to us and became a part of our lives once the borders are open.”

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Sandrine Abanyana, a young, unmarried lady who came to Rwanda, returned with three children born there and expressed gratitude for the medical care she got, especially during labor.

“My youngest is not yet in school, my oldest is in Primary Three, and my second is in Primary One,” she stated. With assistance from the UNHCR and the government, they pursued their education. The quality and level of attention provided during delivery is what I would miss the most. I had no problems, and all of my kids were born without incident.

Her husband, who stayed in Rwanda, intends to join them shortly, so she hopes the return home goes smoothly.

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A total of 30,907 Burundian refugees have willingly left Rwanda since August 2020. There are still 52,862 Burundian refugees living in the nation, 42,421 of them are housed at Mahama Camp.

The repatriation closely complies with international refugee protection standards, according to Gonzague Karagire, Project Manager at the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA).

“After the campaigns, they voluntarily returned, and we made the required arrangements,” Karagire stated.

“To guarantee a safe, respectable, and orderly return, Rwanda has collaborated closely with the Burundian authorities and UNHCR since 2020. This framework addresses issues pertaining to their security, help, and reintegration.