As of the end of November 2025, Tanzania hosted over 140,000 Burundian refugees who had fled years of civil unrest in their home country. While thousands are undergoing voluntary repatriation, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) indicates that a significant number may still require international protection in Tanzania.
Approximately 17,000 refugees have stated they cannot return due to fears for their safety or political persecution, including members of the political opposition and former military personnel.
“There are increasing concerns from refugees on forced returns and coercive measures,” stated Bahia Egeh, a UNHCR official based in Tanzania. “We also continue to advocate against any coercive measures for the refugees in the camps.”
Adding to these worries, UNHCR revealed on Tuesday that refugee shelters are reportedly being “demolished” during the repatriation process in Tanzania, and some Burundian refugees have faced “mistreatment.”
UNHCR’s stance on forced repatriations, known as refoulement, is aligned with international refugee law, which prohibits returning individuals to places where their lives or freedom would be endangered.
History of Displacement
Many refugees currently in Tanzania have experienced displacement before, having fled Burundi’s civil war in the 1990s and early 2000s, returned home, and then fled again in 2015 due to political unrest.
Two refugee camps, Nduta and the larger Nyarugusu, are located in the Kigoma region. Many refugees are seeking to relocate to Nyarugusu following the announcement that Nduta camp is scheduled to close in March.
Ms. Egeh noted that camp conditions are “challenging for the refugees,” exacerbated by reduced UNHCR funding that has impacted services.
Between 2002 and 2009, UNHCR facilitated the voluntary return of approximately 390,000 refugees from Tanzania. In 2014, about 162,000 Burundian nationals were granted Tanzanian citizenship.
Current Repatriation Efforts
In 2017, it was deemed safe for Burundian refugees to return to their country. A tripartite agreement was established between UNHCR, the governments of Burundi, and Tanzania to facilitate voluntary repatriation. Initial progress was steady, though the COVID-19 pandemic caused a slowdown in repatriations for several years.
Repatriation efforts have intensified in recent months following an updated tripartite agreement in late 2025, which set a target of 3,000 refugees returning per week. Consequently, UNHCR has shifted its role from facilitating to actively promoting and supporting voluntary returns to Burundi.
Uptick in Returns and Emerging Concerns
In the first two months of 2026, over 28,000 Burundian refugees returned from Tanzania. With 8,000 returning in the past week alone, the total number of repatriations since the 2017 agreement now exceeds 180,000 refugees.
However, in a statement released on Tuesday, UNHCR expressed serious concerns that during these accelerated efforts, “refugee shelters have been demolished, forcing people to take temporary refuge in already overcrowded departure centres and further straining conditions on the ground. Some refugees have also reportedly been subjected to mistreatment.”
Ms. Egeh emphasized that UNHCR continues to “advocate with the Government to adhere to the tripartite agreement. This was agreed by all three parties that it should be in safety and dignity and respect the protection principles.” A crucial aspect of the agreement is that returns must be voluntary and informed, not coercive, and refugees must be treated with respect.
To assist at-risk refugees, UNHCR operates a dedicated protection help desk to assess their willingness to return, ensuring that “people who still need international protection in Tanzania are not part of the convoy that’s going.”
Funding Cuts and Strained Resources
“When I arrived two years ago, there were 10 health facilities. But over the last couple of years, due to funding, due to the decrease in resources coming in, today there are actually two facilities out of the 10 that are open in Nyarugusu camp,” Ms. Egeh reported.
According to UNHCR, “Capacity is also severely overstretched in Burundi’s reception and transit centres. Increased return pressures, reduced resources and limited staffing are straining operations on both sides of the border.”
Ms. Egeh highlighted that for refugees, some of whom have been displaced since the 1990s, the most effective support involves funding “reintegration efforts” in Burundi. This approach aims to facilitate sustainable returns, end the cycle of displacement, and enable individuals to “start rebuilding their lives” after prolonged insecurity and uncertainty.
UNHCR remains committed to protecting refugees who do not wish to return and supporting those who choose to do so. The agency will continue to assist the governments of Burundi and Tanzania in upholding their commitments under the tripartite arrangements for voluntary repatriation, prioritizing the needs of refugees throughout the process.
