\”The situation in Mtabila refugee camp in Tanzania is very
complicated. As a former worker of the camp, I understand that there
are some who have genuine reasons for hesitating to go back to their
home country. Most of those in this category are those who were born
in Congo after their parents fled Burundi during the 1970s tribal
conflicts, and when the conflicts emerged in Congo in 1996 they found
themselves in Tanzania(Mtabila).
Thus, these people who have been outside Burundi for more than 30
years now find it difficult going back as their former land/farms have
new occupants now and any effort to force them to leave the lands is
likely to led to new conflicts. For those who were born in Congo and
Tanzania, some of them don’t even know their original places in
Burundi as some have lost both parents who would have led them–they
therefore see themselves more Tanzanians and Congolese than
Burundians.
The second category consists of those who hesitate to go back home
because of the easy and free life they lead in the camp. I think this
situation can be best explained by economists–if needs can be
acquired without working many people will be willing to stay idle
without working(substituting work for staying idle ). I remember there
were some who were even inviting their relatives from Burundi to go
and live in the camp.
The third category consist of those who in one way or another
participated in the killings of 1994–these are the politicians and
their relatives. They are not willing to go back to Burundi for
fearing that their formers victims(or victim\’s relatives) might plan
to get revenge.
Finally, I also believe that not all Tanzanians are happy with the
plans to close the refugee camps. Besides the negative effects that
have been associated by the presence of Refugee camps in Kigoma
region, there are also a number of benefits–particularly economic
benefits. The presence of Refugee camp in the region attracted many
international and local NGO which provides employment to many
Tanzanians-educated and non-educated. Many families in Kigoma region
have benefited from refugee projects either directly or indirectly.
Given this situation, the closure of refugee camps has come to mean
reduced employment and reduced money circulation–this is what makes
the decision to close Mtabila refugee camp to be received with mixed
feelings.\”
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