Nduta Camp: Uncertainty Grows for Burundian Refugees Reluctant to Return

SOS Médias Burundi
Nduta, June 18, 2025 — Despite repeated calls for voluntary repatriation, thousands of Burundian refugees living in Nduta camp in Tanzania continue to resist returning home. Caught between mounting pressure, shrinking humanitarian aid, and rising tensions, their future hangs in an increasingly fragile balance.
Tanzanian frustrations boiling over
A recent meeting between local authorities from Burundi’s Ruyigi province and officials from Tanzania’s Kibondo district revealed growing impatience on the Tanzanian side. During the exchange, Kibondo District Commissioner Agrey John Magwaza did not hide his frustration.
“Some of them know very well that peace has returned to Burundi, yet they still refuse to go back,” he said, criticizing what he described as a defiant attitude among some refugees.
According to Magwaza, several refugees are leading a sort of “double life” — still owning land in Burundi, traveling back secretly for family ceremonies, or engaging in economic activities in surrounding Tanzanian villages.
“There are people here living as if they’re not even refugees,” he added.
Rising tension inside the camp
The atmosphere in Nduta camp has become more volatile in recent weeks. In April, a sensitization mission by a delegation from Burundi’s Ministry of Interior was met with open hostility. The officials were booed and even verbally threatened by some refugees.
Tensions peaked during the night of April 14 to 15, when a protest erupted — an incident Tanzanian authorities described as a “riot.”
“Refugees must understand that their presence here must respect Tanzanian laws,” warned Magwaza, stressing that the country would no longer tolerate any violent acts in its camps.
NGO withdrawal deepens the crisis
At the heart of refugee concerns is the sharp reduction in humanitarian aid. Several international NGOs — including Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and Save the Children — have announced imminent withdrawals due to a lack of funding.
“There are only two months of salaries left for teachers,” Magwaza warned.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is also expected to cut food rations by half — a devastating blow for thousands who rely heavily on this support to survive.
Local authorities say that NGOs were responsible for more than 70% of essential services in the camp, including education, health, and food distribution. Their departure could plunge refugees into extreme vulnerability.
A call to return met with deep mistrust
Burundian authorities continue to offer reassurances. Emerencienne Tabu, governor of Ruyigi province, insists the country is ready to welcome its citizens.
“Burundi is ready to receive its children with open arms. We invite them to come back and help rebuild the nation,” she said after the bilateral meeting.
But on the ground, skepticism remains. Refugees cite memories of past abuses, ongoing fears of retaliation, and a lack of trust in Burundian institutions. Many question whether they can reintegrate with dignity into a country they fled nearly a decade ago.
A future in limbo
As the pressure to return grows, humanitarian aid dries up, and Tanzanian authorities harden their stance, the situation is becoming increasingly unbearable for those who remain.
Nduta camp currently hosts more than 58,000 refugees — most of whom fled the 2015 crisis triggered by the late President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial third term.