Tanzania Forces Closure of Nduta Camp, Repatriating Thousands of Burundian Refugees

Tanzania has shut down the Nduta refugee camp, forcibly repatriating approximately 3,000 remaining Burundian refugees in an operation that human rights groups are calling a serious violation of international law.

Forced onto Vehicles

According to multiple humanitarian sources and reporting by African News, the approximately 3,000 refugees who remained in the Nduta camp were forcibly loaded onto vehicles and sent back to Burundi on Thursday, May 1st. The operation was carried out without adequate notice to humanitarian organizations.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said it was not given access to monitor the repatriations. “The principle of non-refoulement—that no one should be returned to a place where they face danger—is a cornerstone of international refugee law,” the agency said.

Long-Term Implications

The closure of Nduta marks a significant shift in Tanzania’s approach to refugee protection. For the individuals forcibly returned to Burundi, the future remains uncertain. Many had lived in Tanzania for years, building lives in exile only to see them abruptly ended.

Sources: African News, UNHCR, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders