- With the return of peace and stability in Burundi, the Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, sees no reason why thousands of Burundian refugees should remain in his country.
President Kikwete, who flew to the Burundian capital Bujumbura, disclosed that all Burundian refugee camps will be closed by December 2007.
There are more than 150,000 Burundian refugees living in Tanzanian camps. Some weeks back, the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR airlifted 350 Burundian refugees to United States for resettlement.
Tanzania had provided shelter and protection for tens of thousands of refugees from Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. These countries had all experienced years of hostilities. In 2002, Tanzania was providing shelter and protection for over a million refugees. This figure declined to 280,000 last year.
From 2002 to date, it is reported that at least 350,000 Burundian refugees returned home following the signing of a peace accord.
During the Burundian civil war, thousands of refugees crossed the borders to Tanzania and other countries for fear of being killed or maimed for life. But according to President Kikwete, now that peace and stability returned to Burundi there is no justification for the continuous stay of Burundian refugees in his country.
He said his government will tell refugees in camps that they should return home after all peace has returned to their home.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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