Burundian refugees in Rwanda have been assured that the recent decision to relocate them to a third country was made to ensure safety not only for themselves but also for the people of Rwanda.

Seraphine Mukantabana, the minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) said this on Monday during her visit to Mahama refugee camp in Kirehe District where most of the refugees are sheltered.

The visit was aimed at explaining to the refugees of the decision made by the government a fortnight ago.

"Rwanda received you as brothers and sisters and we still receive your compatriots who seek refuge day after day due to violence back in your home country, but we want to start negotiations with another country on how to relocate you. I want to tell you that the decision was taken in good faith,” Mukantabana told the refugees.

She said that the decision was partly premised on the fact that some people had started politicizing Rwanda’s humanitarian gesture to take in tens of thousands of refugees from Burundi.

"Protection of refugees is not a responsibility of a single country, but a collective duty for the international community. Refugees can be relocated from one country to another and this is normal practice. It (relocation) is also provided for by the refugee treaty ratified by Rwanda,” she added.

Addressing the refugees, Dr Azam Saber, the country representative for UNHCR told the refugees not to be disoriented by the relocation announcement, saying that they should continue doing what they have been doing.

He said the relocation of refugees to a third country is normally a lengthy process that might take time.

The UNHCR boss also urged the refugees to shun and castigate rumors that tarnish the image of Rwanda, the refugees themselves and the UNHCR.

"Those rumors that there is military recruitment in this camp have tarnished our image, but I urge you to focus on those small activities that sustain your families. Brush off those rumors that have political roots and keep your children in school,” he told them.

Rwanda’s decision to seek relocation of the over 70,000 Burundian refugees was premised on reports that Rwanda, specifically Mahama camp had become recruitment grounds for dissidents aimed at overthrowing the Burundian government.

The government of Rwanda and several stakeholders and refugees themselves have always castigated these reports as baseless rumors.

Refugees relieved

Bosco Ukwibishaka, the representative of refugees in Mahama camp said "those from whom we fled are not happy with peace we are enjoying here. With those rumors of recruitment, they are targeting the country that granted us peace. Rwanda took us in to ensure our safety and cannot send us back as fighters to the country that we fled; it is illogical.”

Valerie Nyandwi, another refugee in the camp said she welcomed the decision by authorities to calm the situation in the camp because there was a state of hopelessness.

She however said the international community could intervene to restore peace in their country so that they can repatriate instead of relocating to other countries.

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