Kigoma – The Nduta refugee camp in north-western Tanzania is scheduled to officially close today, April 30, 2026, marking the end of a facility that has housed tens of thousands of Burundian refugees for nearly a decade.
Minister of Home Affairs Patrobas Katambi is arriving in the Kigoma region for a two-day visit to oversee the formal closure. The process is expected to include the handover of permanent infrastructure and facilities to the government for developmental use by local communities.
The closure follows a request by the Burundian government to extend the implementation period to the end of this month. It is part of a tripartite agreement between Tanzania, Burundi, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) aimed at encouraging voluntary repatriation.
The government is describing the closure as a major success in managing the challenges associated with hosting refugees. Officials are emphasising their commitment to strengthening security and repurposing the camp’s environment for local development.
The remaining refugees in the larger Nyarugusu camp are expected to return to Burundi by June 30, 2026.
READ MORE: Burundi and UN Sign US$82 Million Deal to Bring Home Over 100,000 Refugees Before Camp Closures
However, the official narrative of voluntary return contrasts sharply with reports from the ground. In the days leading up to the closure, thousands of Burundian refugees were reportedly subjected to forced expulsions under brutal conditions.
Since April 24, more than 5,000 refugees have allegedly been forcibly repatriated in convoys of over 80 buses. Refugees have reported beatings, threats, and a complete withdrawal of humanitarian assistance.
Approximately 15,000 refugees were moved to a transit centre on the dismantled camp site, where living conditions were described as extremely precarious.
But the Tanzanian authorities have rejected these allegations, insisting that all repatriations are voluntary and conducted in line with international agreements.
They have also dismissed claims that refugees are being denied essential services, such as food, to pressure them into leaving.
READ MORE: Tanzania Insists Burundian Refugees Must Go Home as Returns Surge and Funds Run Dry
The situation has drawn fierce condemnation from the international community. On April 23, a coalition of 26 human rights organisations, including FIACAT and ACAT Burundi, issued a joint statement expressing serious concern over the increasing forced returns.
The organisations documented severe human rights violations, including attacks against refugees, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and acts of torture. They warned that these actions violate the principle of non-refoulement enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention.
The coalition also highlighted the use of coercive measures, such as intimidation and restrictions on access to humanitarian assistance, aimed at compelling refugees to return. They noted a significant risk of persecution upon return to Burundi, particularly in a pre-election environment marked by an increase in human rights violations.
The groups called on Tanzanian authorities to immediately halt forced returns and urged the UNHCR to strengthen its protection mechanisms in the camps.
The Burundian refugee crisis began in April 2015 when the late President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to seek a third term. The move, which critics argued was unconstitutional, triggered massive protests and a violent government crackdown, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee.
READ MORE: Tanzania Denies Forcing Burundian Refugees to Return as Repatriation Efforts Intensify
Tanzania has been the largest host country for these refugees. While organised repatriation efforts began in 2017, the pace has accelerated dramatically in recent months.
A US$82 million response plan signed in March 2026 to facilitate the return and reintegration of over 100,000 refugees remains largely unfunded. This lack of funding has led to severe cuts in food rations and health services in the camps, further pressuring refugees to leave.
An estimated 17,000 refugees have stated they cannot return due to fears for their personal safety or the risk of political persecution. This group includes members of the political opposition and former military personnel.
