KONGAMANO LA TANO DIASPORA LAFANYIKA MJINI CHAKE CHAKE, KISIWANI PEMBA.

TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI

        TAARIFA KUHUSU KONGAMANO LA TANO LA DIASPORA

 Watanzania waishio ughaibuni wamekutana Chake Chake, kisiwani Pemba tarehe 18 na 19 Agosti, 2018 katika Kongamano la Tano la Diaspora kufuatia  utaratibu uliowekwa na Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania pamoja na Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya  Zanzibar  kuwakutanisha kila mwaka Watanzania waishio ughaibuni.

Kongamano hilo ambalo liliandaliwa na Ofisi ya Rais na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi chini ya Idara ya Ushirikano wa Kimataifa na uratibu wa masuala ya Diaspora pamoja  na Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki liliwakutanisha Wanadiaspora zaidi ya 300 katika viwanja vya Tibirinzi, Pemba. Wadau mbalimbali wa hapa nchini kutoka Serikalini na Sekta binafsi walihudhuria Kongamano hilo. 

Mhe. Dkt Ali Mohamed Shein, Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi  alikuwa mgeni rasmi akiambatana na viongozi wengine waliohudhuria kongamano hilo akiwemo;  Balozi Seif Ali Idd, Makamo wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar, Mhe. Zubeir Ali Maulid, Spika wa Baraza la Wawakilishi, Mhe. Haji Issa Ussi Gavu, Waziri wa Nchi, Ofisi ya Rais na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi, Mawaziri, Makatibu na Naibu Makatibu Wakuu, Mabalozi na Watendaji wa Serikali zote za Muungano.

Katika kongamano hilo Wanadiaspora hao walipata fursa ya kufuatilia mada mbalimbali zilizowasilishwa ikiwa ni pamoja na Diaspora na Maendeleo; Uraia;  Sheria za Uhamiaji na kufahamishwa fursa zilizopo nchini kwa ajili ya uwekezaji kwa manufaa Wanadiaspora na Taifa kwa ujumla. Aidha, Watanzania hao waishio ughaibuni walipata  fursa ya kuuliza maswali pamoja na kutoa ushauri kwa Serikali kuhusu masuala mbalimbali yenye lengo la kuendeleza umoja huo na maendeleo ya nchi.

Akizungumza wakati wa ufunguzi wa kongamano hilo, Mhe. Dkt. Ali Mohammed Shein, Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi aliwahakikishia Watanzania hao kuwa Serikali zao zinatambua umuhimu wa Watanzania waishio ughaibuni na hivyo itaendelea kuwashirikisha  katika masuala mbalimbali ya maendeleo ya nchi. Vilevile, Mheshimiwa Rais Shein aliwahimiza Wanadiaspora hao kuwa mabalozi wazuri wa nchi yetu na aliwasihi wazidi kuitangaza na kuwekeza nchini kwa wingi.

Nae mwakilishi wa Watanzania waishio ughaibuni Bw. Adolf Makaya, Katibu wa Baraza la Dunia la Diaspora (TGDC), kwa niaba ya wanadiaspora hao, aliishukuru Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania pamoja na Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar kwa kuendelea kuwathamini na kutambua umuhimu wao katika kusukuma gurudumu la maendeleo ya nchi.

Sambamba na hayo, Wanadiaspora  walipata fursa ya kujionea vivutio mbalimbali vilivyopo kisiwani Pemba ikiwa ni pamoja na kutembelea hoteli ya kitalii ya Manta Resort iliyopo Makangale kisiwani Pemba. Hoteli hiyo imekuwa gumzo na kivutio kikubwa cha utalii kutokana na kuwa na chumba kilicho chini ya bahari.

Kwa upande wake, Balozi Seif Ali Idd, Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar, alifurahishwa na mahudhurio mazuri ya Wamadiaspora na kuona kuwa ni fursa kubwa kwao kuona maendeleo ya nchi yao na pia kujenga maelewano mazuri na Serikali.

Kwa ujumla, kongamano hilo limefanyika kwa mafanikio makubwa ambapo viongozi wa Serikali pamoja na wanadiaspora hao waliweza kupata fursa ya kujadiliana namna mbalimbali za kuwashirikisha Wanadiaspora hao katika maendeleo yao na ya Taifa kwa ujumla.

Imetolewa na:

Kitengo cha Mawasiliano ya Serikali,

Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki

19 Agosti 2018

Mkuutano wa 38 wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wa SADC umemalizika mjini Windhoek Namibia

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Samia Suluhu Hassan akihutubia wakati wa hafla ya kufunga Mkutano wa 38 wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wa Jumuiya ya Maendeleo Kusini mwa Afrika (SADC) mjini Windhoek, Namibia tarehe 18 Agosti 2018.

Katika Mkutano huo Makamu wa Rais, Mhe. Samia Suluhu Hassan alisaini itifaki ya kazi na ajira, itifaki ya Kulinda Hakimiliki ya Wagunduzi wa aina Mpya za Mbegu za Mimea ya mwaka 2017.

Pia amesaini Tamko la nchi wanachama wa SADC la kutokomeza malaria katika ukanda wa SADC ifikapo mwaka 2030 na maboresho ya Katiba inayosimamia masuala ya Kamati ndogo ya Wakuu wa Polisi katika Organ.

Mhe. Samia Suluhu Hassan aliwasilisha salamu za Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli ambapo aliwashukuru wanachama wote kwa kuendelea kuiamini Tanzania katika nafasi za uongozi ndani ya Jumuiya hiyo pamoja na kuahidi kuendelea kushirikiana katika shughuli za maendeleo, siasa, ulinzi, na usalama.

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Mhe. Dkt. Augustine Mahiga (kushoto) akifuatilia tukio la utiwaji saini wa itifaki katika mkutano wa 38 wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wa SADC uliomalizika tarehe 18 Agosti 2018 Windhoek, Namibia.

Mwenyekiti wa SADC na Rais wa Jamhuri ya Namibia, Mhe. Hage Geingob akihutubia katika hafla ya kufunga mkutano wa 38 wa  Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wa SADC uliofanyika mjini Windhoek, Namibia.

Katibu Mtendaji wa SADC. Dkt. Stergomena L. Tax akihutubia katika hafla ya kufunga mkutano wa  38 wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali ambapo aliwapongeza viongozi wote walioteuliwa kushika nafasi mbalimbali na kuahidi ushirikiano katika utekelezaji wa agenda za SADC.

Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Prof. Adolf Mkenda (kati) na Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Ushirikiano wa Kikanda wa Wizara ya Mambo  ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki Balozi Innocent Shiyo (kulia) wakifuatilia mkutano.

Ujumbe kutoka Serikali ya Tanzania ukifuatilia utiwaji saini wa itifaki mbalimbali za ushirikiano.

Tanzania yateuliwa rasmi kuwa Makamu Mwenyekiti wa SADC

Mkutano wa 38 wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wa Jumuiya ya Maendeleo Kusini mwa Afrika (SADC), unaofanyika mjini Windhoek, Namibia, kuanzia tarehe 17 hadi 18 Agosti 2018, umemteua Mhe. Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kuwa Makamu Mwenyekiti wa SADC kwa kipindi cha Agosti 2018 mpaka Agosti 2019.

Kufuatia uteuzi huo, Mhe. Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania atapewa rasmi jukumu la Uenyekiti wa SADC katika Mkutano mkuu ujao wa 39 utakaofanyika Tanzania mwezi Agosti 2019.

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Samia Suluhu Hassan akiwa katika Mkutano wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wa SADC unaofanyika mjini Windhoek, Namibia kuanzia tarehe 17 hadi 18 Agosti 2018.

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Mhe. Balozi Dkt. Augustine Mahiga akifuatilia ufunguzi wa mkutano wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali mjini Windhoek, Namibia. Kulia ni Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa wa Jamhuri ya Afika Kusini, Mhe Lindiwe Sisuli.

Kulia ni Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Prof Adolf Mkenda akifuatilia hafla ya ufunguzi wa mkutano wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali mjini Windhoek, Namibia.

Katibu Mtendaji wa Jumuiya ya Maendeleo Kusini mwa Afrika, Dkt. Stergomena L. Tax akitoa hotua ya ufunguzi wa mkutano pamoja na taarifa ya mwaka ya utekelezaji wa Jumuiya ambapo alitumia fursa hiyo kuwashukuru viongozi waliomaliza muda na nchi wanachama kwa ushirikiano walioutoa katika utekelezaji wa malengo na mipango mbalimbali ya kanda.

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Afrika Kusini na Mwenyekiti wa SADC aliyemaliza muda, Mhe. Cyril Ramaphosa akikabidhi nafasi ya uenyekiti kwa mwenyekiti mpya na Rais wa Jamhuri ya Namibia, Mhe. Hage Geingob.

Mwenyekiti wa SADC na Rais wa Namibia, Mhe. Hage Geingob akihutubia mara baada ya kukabidhiwa nafasi ya uenyekiti wa SADC mjini Windhoek, Namibia ambapo aliishukuru Serikali ya Afrika kusini kwa uongozi mahiri kwa kipindi chote cha uongozi wake na aliahidi kushirikiana na wanachama wote katika kuiletea kanda maendeleo na kupunguza umasikini.

Wanafunzi walioshinda shindano la insha wakiwa katika picha ya pamoja na Katibu Mtendaji wa SADC, Dkt. Stergomena Tax na Mwenyekiti wa SADC, Mhe. Cyril Ramaphosa njini Windhoek ,Namibia.

Sehemu nyingine ya Wanafunzi walioshinda shindano la insha wakiwa katika picha ya pamoja na Katibu Mtendaji wa SADC, Dkt. Stergomena L. Tax na Mwenyekiti wa SADC, Mhe. Cyril Ramaphosa njini Windhoek ,Namibia.

Waandishi wa habari walioshinda shindano la mwandishi bora wa SADC katika radio, gazeti na televisheni wakiwa katika picha ya pamoja na Katibu Mtendaji wa SADC, Dkt. Stergomena Tax na Mwenyekiti wa SADC, Mhe. Cyril Ramaphosa njini Windhoek ,Namibia.

Kutoka kushoto ni Naibu Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Fedha na Mipango (SMZ), Bw. Ali Juma Khamis  pamoja na Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Ushirikiano wa Kikanda wa Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikaiano wa Afrika Mashariki , Balozi Innocent Shiyo wakifuatilia mkutano.

Kutoka Kushoto ni Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Ujenzi, Uchukuzi na Mawasiliano, Mhandisi Joseph Nyamhanga pamoja na Naibu Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Fedha na Mipango, Dkt. Khatibu Kazungu wakifuatilia mkutano.

Wa pili kutoka kushoto ni Naibu Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Viwanda, Biashara na Uwekezaji, Bw. Edwin Mhede pamoja na Afisa Mambo ya Nje Mwandamizi wa Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Bi. Agness kayola (kulia) wakifuatilia mkutano.

Kutoka kustoto ni Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Namibia mwenye makazi yake nchini Afrika Kusini, Mhe. Sylisvester Ambokile na Naibu Mwanasheria Mkuu, Bw. Evaristo Longopa wakifuatilia hafla ya ufunguzi wa mkutano.

Ujumbe kutoka Serikali ya Tanzania ukufuatilia mkutano.

Sehemu nyingine ya ujumbe huo ukifuatilia mkutano.

Waasisi wa SADC wakiwa wamesimama wakati wimbo wa Tiafa wa Namibia  na wimbo wa SADC ukipigwa, kushoto ni Rais mstaafu wa kwanza  wa Jamhuri ya Namibia, Mhe. Sam Nujoma na kulia kwake ni Rais wa mstaafu wa kwanza wa Jamhuri ya Msumbiji, Mhe. Joaquim Chissano.

Wake za Waheshimiwa marais walifuatilia hafla ufunguzi wa Mkutano

Picha ya pamoja

Tamasha la kwanza la Michezo la Afrika Mashariki lazinduliwa Bujumbura, Burundi.

Brigadia  Generali Mary Hiki akizungumza na wanamichezo kutoka (Tanzania hawapo pichani) washiriki wa Tamasha la Kwanza la Michezo la Afrika Mashariki linaloendelea jijini Bujumbura, Burundi. Brigadia Generali Hiki ambaye anahudumu katika Ubalozi wa Tanzania nchini Burundi alizungumza na wanamichezo hao kwaniaba Kaimu ya Balozi.
Tamasha hili linalofanyika kwa mara ya kwanza nchi Burundi limetokana na maagizo ya Mkutano wa 35 wa Baraza la Mawaziri la Afrika Mashariki.

Tamasha hili lenye kauli mbiu "kujenga Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki na amani kupitia michezo" linafanyika kuanzia terehe 16 hadi 30 Agosti, 2018. Washiriki zaidi 1000 kutoka nchi wananchama wa Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki watashiriki kwenye michezo mbalimbali ya tamasha hili.

Tanzania imewakilishwa na jumla ya wanamichezo 58 ambao watashiriki katika michezo ya mpira wa pete, mpira wa miguu, riadha na karatee.

Tamasha hili limefunguliwa tarehe 16 Agosti 2018 na Mhe. Dkt. Joseph Butore Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Burundi, katika viwanja vya Sekondari vya SOS jijini Burundi na kuhudhuriwa na viongozi na watendaji waserikali kutoka nchi wanachama. 

Meza kuu ni Mhe. Dkt. Joseph Butore Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Burundi (wa pili kulia) Bw.Liberatus Mfumukeko (wapili kushoto)  Katibu Mkuu Seretarieti ya Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki, Mhe. Dkt. Ali Kirunda Kivenjija Naibu wa Pili wa Waziri Mkuu na Waziri wa Masuala ya Afrika Mashariki kutoka Uganda (wa kwanza kulia) na Mhe. Jacques Enyenimigabo Waziri wa Vijana na Michezo wa Burundi (wa kwanza kushoto) wakiwa wamesimama wakati wimbo wa Taifa wa Burundi ukipigwa kwenye hafla ya ufunguzi wa Tamasha la Kwanza la Michezo la Afrika Mashariki

Sehemu ya watendaji na viongozi wa Serikali wa nchi Wanachama wakiwa wamesimama wakati wimbo wa Taifa wa Burundi ukipigwa kwenye ufunguzi wa Tamasha la Michezo

Wanamichezo kutoka Tanzania wakipita kwa furaha mbele ya jukwaa kuu kwenye hafla ya ufunguzi wa Tamasha la Kwanza la Michezo la Afrika Mashariki

Makamu wa Rais, Mhe Samia Suluhu Hassan aongoza ujumbe wa Tanzania katika mkutano wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Seriikali wa SADC wanaounda Utatu wa Asasi ya Ushirikiano wa Siasa, ulinzi na Usalama.

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Samia Suluhu Hassan akiwa katika mkutano wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wa Jumuiya ya Maendeleo ya Kusini mwa Afrika (SADC) wanaounda Utatu wa Asasi ya Ushirikiano wa Siasa, Ulinzi na Usalama uliofanyika mjini Windhoek, Namibia tarehe 16 Agosti 2018. 
Kutoka kushoto ni Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Mhe. Balozi Dkt. Augustine Mahiga na Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Prof. Adolf Mkenda wakifuatilia mkutano.

Mhe. Samia Suluhu Hassan amemuwakilisha Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli katika mkutano huu pamoja  na Mkutano wa Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wa SADC utakaofanyika tarehe 17 na 18 Agosti 2018.
Mkutano huu umehusisha Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wanaounda Utatu huo ambao ni Mheshimiwa João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Rais wa Angola  na Mwenyekiti wa sasa wa SADC organ; Mheshimiwa Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Zambia  na Makamu Mwenyekiti wa SADC Organ na Mheshimiwa Samia Suluhu Hassan, Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania akimuwakilisha Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli ambaye ni Mwenyekiti wa SADC Organ aliyemaliza muda wake.

 Mkutano huu umejadili taarifa ya hali ya siasa, ulinzi na usalama katika kanda kwa kipindi cha mwaka mmoja uliopita wa Agosti 2017 hadi Agosti 2018.

Agenda nyingine zilizojadiliwa katika mkutano huo ni pamoja na; taarifa ya utekelezaji wa maazimio ya SADC kuhusu kuimarisha hali ya siasa, ulinzi na usalama katika falme ya lesotho, hali ya siasa na usalama katika jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo (DRC),hali ya siasa na usalama nchini Madagasca,hali ya kidemokrasia katika kanda na taarifa ya uchaguzi mkuu kwa nchi wanachama ambao ni Madagasca, DRC na Eswatini.

vilevile mkutano huu umejadili kuhusiana na ujenzi wa sanamu ya Mwalimu Julius Nyerere iliyopendekezwa kujengwa katika jengo la Baraza la Amani na Usalama la Umoja wa Afrika mjini Addis Ababa Ethiopia pamoja na majukumu ambayo serikali ya Tanzania imepewa katika kusimamia zoezi hilo linakamailika kwa wakati.

Makamu wa Rais. Mhe. Samia Suluhu Hassan akijadili jambo na Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Ushirikiano wa Kikanda wa Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Balozi Innocent Shiyo wakati wa hafla ya ufunguzi wa mkutano huo.

Wajumbe wa Serikali ya Tanzania na Zambia wakifuatitilia hafla ya ufunguzi wa mkutano. Kulia kwa Makamu wa Rais ni Rais wa Jamhuri ya Zambia, Mhe. Edgar Chagwa Lungu

Katibu Mtendaji wa Jumuiya ya Maendeleo ya Kusini mwa Afrika, Dkt. Stergomena L.Tax (kulia) akitoa hotuba ya ufunguzi wa mkutano. Kushoto ni Rais wa Jamhuri ya Namibia na Mwenyekiti wa Asasi ya Ushirikiano wa Siasa, Ulinzi na Usalama.

Mhe. Waziri Mahiga (kati) akijadili jambo na Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Prof. Adolf Mkenda (kulia) na Balozi Shiyo (kushoto) 

Mhe. Makamu wa Rais akisalimiana na Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo (DRC), Mhe. Joseph Kabila kabla ya kuanza kwa mkutano huo. 

CLARIFICATION ON MISLEADING RUMOURS ON THE ON-GOING VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION EXERCISE OF BURUNDIAN REFUGEES FROM TANZANIA

PRESS RELEASE

CLARIFICATION ON SOME MISLEADING RUMOURS BEING SPREAD REGARDING THE ON-GOING VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION EXERCISE OF BURUNDIAN REFUGEES FROM TANZANIA

1.0      INTRODUCTION

For more than five decades, The United Republic of Tanzania has been receiving and hosting refugees from different countries. Tanzania remains committed in finding durable solutions for these refugees, which have included naturalizing more than 250,000, of whom 162,156 were Burundians who entered Tanzania in 1972. In the same vein, Tanzania has assisted repatriation of refugees to their countries of origin whenever peace, security and stability were restored. Tanzania has also been in the forefront in facilitating resettlement of refugees to third countries, including the United States (25,094), Canada (2,278) and Australia (1,969).

In fulfilling its international obligation of providing safe haven to refugees, Tanzania has been doing the following:

    i.    Receiving asylum seekers;

  ii.    Providing sanctuary - places to live and protection; and

iii.    Finding durable solutions for refugees.

All these responsibilities are undertaken in line with the natinal laws and international instruments.

From April 2015, Tanzania started to receive an influx of refugees from Burundi due to political instability following the general elections. The influx led to the creation of two new refugee camps in Western Tanzania at Nduta and Mtendeli. As of 1 August 2018, the number of Burundian refugees hosted at Nduta, Mtendeli and Nyarugusu camps totaled 213,562.

2.0      PEACE, SECURITY AND STABILITY IN BURUNDI AND THE COMMENCEMENT OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES

Between May 2016 and July 2017, a substantial number of Burundian refugees started returning to their country of origin and many requested to be registered and assisted to voluntarily repatriate. When H.E. Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and H.E. Pierre Nkurunzinza, President of the Republic of Burundi met in July 2017, already 6,000 Burundian refugees had registered for voluntary repatriation.

Following the delays in assisting the repatriation of the registered refugees, some of the refugees in Nduta camp rioted and, as a result, various properties, including vehicles and infrastructure, were destroyed.

Subsequent to many Burundian refugees starting to return to their country, and more than 12,000 to have registered for voluntary repatriation, the Government of Tanzania convened the first tripartite meeting (Tripartite Commission Meeting) involving Tanzania, Burundi and UNHCR, which took place in Dar es Salaam on 31 August 2017. The meeting agreed, among other things, to repatriate the 12,000 refugees by 31 December 2017. However, by the set date, a total of 13,102 refugees who had voluntarily registered were repatriated safely and in dignity.

Following the great successes of the outcomes of the first Tripartite Commission Meeting, the Government of Burundi convened the second Tripartite Commission Meeting in Bujumbura, Burundi on 28 March 2018. The meeting resolved to repatriate 72,000 voluntarily registered Burundian refugees by 31 December 2018.

The exercise of voluntary repatriation of refugees has continued to be conducted with due regard of safety, dignity and human rights. All the repatriated refugees are well received by the authorities in Burundi, in collaboration with UNHCR, IOM, WFP and other relevant stakeholders, and they are taken up to their places of domicile.

3.0      POSITIVE RESPONSE OF THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION EXERCISE

Up until 9 August 2018, a total of 42,463 Burundian refugees were already assisted to repatriate, while 30,401 refugees had been voluntarily registered, and were eagerly waiting to be assisted to repatriate.

So far, there are no records of any Burundian refugee returning to Tanzania after their repatriation. This, among others, bears testimony to the presence of peace, security and political stability in Burundi.

The involvement of relevant stakeholders is evidence that the exercise is being carried out transparently, and in compliance with international standards of human rights. All the required steps involved in voluntary repatriation are appropriately adhered to.

Furthermore, during the Bujumbura Tripartite Commission Meeting in March 2018, the Government of Burundi informed that they have protected and reserved all the properties that were left behind by the refugees, and that the same are given back to the owners upon their return. It is in this regard that, all refugees who have returned home have found and repossessed their properties, including farms and houses.

From 27 to 29 June 2018, the Ambassadors representing European countries in Tanzania visited Kigoma. The visit took them also to Nduta refugee camp, where they witnessed the voluntary repatriation exercise, and also had an opportunity to talk to refugees, and other stakeholders, regarding the exercise and they witnessed the urge of refugees to return to their home country.

Refugees who voluntarily repatriate are assisted to do so in busses and their belongings are transported in trucks. In addition, they are provided with three-months food ration upon arrival in Burundi.

On 18 May 2018, Burundians held a referendum for constitutional amendment. The exercise was conducted peacefully, and no group has contested the results. This is an indication of the strengthened national unity, and restoration of peace and stability in Burundi.

4.0      APPEAL OF THE GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Through Tanzania Missions Abroad, particularly some of those in Western Europe, the Government of Tanzania has been informed of existence of some groups of people resident in those countries that are spreading preposterous rumors, that Tanzania is forcefully repatriating Burundian refugees. This is contrary to the truth, and we see this to be designed to undermine the successes of the on-going voluntary repatriation exercise.

The Government of Tanzania calls upon the international community to ignore the rumors, and instead support the on-going voluntary repatriation exercise, which is being conducted with due respect to human dignity. The Government urges the international community to continue providing the much-needed financial resources for the on-going voluntary repatriation exercise.

The Government of Tanzania calls on all the Burundian refugees to continue to register for voluntary repatriation so that they can go and participate in building their country, where peace and security have now returned.

Issued by: Government Communication Unit

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African

Cooperation, Dodoma

16^th August, 2018