22-25 February 2016

1. Representative of Burundian refugees denies rumors of recruitment

Private but pro-government newspapers

“Burundian refugees assured relocation will not be rushed” by Theogene Nsengimana. New Times, 24th February 2016

• 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 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.
• “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.
• “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.
• 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.”