By Dotto Lameck<\/p>\n
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government has reiterated its position that it will not grant citizenship to refugees living in camps within the country, urging them instead to prepare to return to Burundi, where peace and stability have reportedly been restored.<\/p>\n
This statement was issued in Dar es Salaam by the Minister for Home Affairs, George Simbachawene, during the 26th Tripartite Meeting involving Tanzania, Burundi, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which focused on repatriating Burundian refugees to their home country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Tanzanian government recognizes that some refugees in camps believe that staying in Tanzania for a long time will eventually grant them citizenship. I want to make it clear and for the record Tanzania has no plans to change its policies or laws to integrate refugees into the national development agenda so they can strengthen themselves economically while living here. Moreover, we have no intention of turning refugee camps into permanent settlements,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the meeting, Burundi\u2019s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Richard Ndayisaba, stated that Burundi is ready to cooperate with all parties to facilitate the reception of its citizens currently living in Tanzania.<\/p>\n