Tanzania has closed the Nduta camp in its northwest, repatriating nearly all Burundian refugees housed there, according to activists and the UN. Rights groups say about 3,000 refugees were forcibly loaded onto vehicles and sent back to Burundi, leaving only a handful of families awaiting transfer to Nyarugusu camp, which is also scheduled to close by June 30. The Coalition for Human Rights/Living in Refugee Camps accused authorities of coercive measures, including restrictions on movement, pressure to register for return, and intimidation. UNHCR confirmed the closure, citing a bilateral agreement with Tanzania and Burundi on voluntary repatriation, but acknowledged concerns over reports of abuse. As of late 2025, Tanzania hosted 142,000 Burundian refugees fleeing civil war and repression. The closures raise fears of forced returns and highlight tensions between humanitarian protection and government policy.
Source: Newstimehub
