Tanzania shuts camp housing thousands of Burundi refugees

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Dodoma: Tanzania has officially closed the Nduta refugee camp, repatriating nearly all of its thousands of Burundian inhabitants to their home country. 

This closure follows a bilateral agreement between Tanzania and Burundi to repatriate approximately 100,000 refugees by June 2024. As of late 2025, Tanzania hosted roughly 142,000 Burundians who fled political repression and civil war.

The Coalition for Human Rights/Living in Refugee Camps (CDH/VICAR) reported that on Thursday, the remaining 3,000 refugees were forcibly loaded onto vehicles for return to Burundi. Only about ten families remained on-site, awaiting transfer to the Nyarugusu camp, which is itself slated for closure on June 30. 

Activists have denounced the process, citing ‘increasingly coercive measures’ such as restricted movement, the demolition of homes, and linking humanitarian aid to repatriation registration.

While the UNHCR confirmed the camp's closure was conducted by the Tanzanian government, it maintained that its involvement is based on an agreement for ‘voluntary repatriation’. 

Despite these claims, the agency stated it has consistently raised concerns regarding reports of pressure or abuse, emphasizing that all returns must be safe and dignified.

Photo Credits: AFP