March 26, 2021

Despair Among Congolese Refugees Due for Relocation to Camp Where Burundians Are Departing


Trustworthy and indepth news stories are more important now than ever.
Support our newsroom by MAKING A CONTRIBUTION HERE
Occupied mud brick shelters in Mahama refugee camp which would have become permanent home for Burundian refugees, but they now have to go back home. With new communities taking over the huge space, it could be a large ghost site [Photo/ UNHCR – Eugene Sibomana]

As Burundian refugees repatriate, government of Rwanda has settled on relocating some of the Congolese refugees to a large camp in eastern Rwanda.

For Congolese refugees living in Gihembe camp located in Gicumbi district, to the northwest, the relocation decision is causing despair. Some are describing the move as being forced into refugee life for a third time.

The Mahama camp in Kirehe district district near Tanzania opened in April 2015 to cater for the massive influx of Burundians escaping political upheaval in their country. Since then, it grew to accommodate up to 70,000 refugees.

Suddenly, Rwanda and Burundi began secret talks around the middle of last year. Since September, many Burundian refugees have gone back home as the political situation improves, and deep cuts in food rations are implemented by the UN.

Rwanda hosted a total of 142,043 Refugees and Asylum Seekers at the end of January 2021. At least 54.6% of them are Congolese, who have been coming at different times since 1997. They live in five camps located in different regions of Rwanda: Gihembe, Kigeme, Kiziba, Mugombwa and Nyabiheke.

Burundians account for about 45% of the refugee population in Rwanda. As they repatriate, the Mahama camp, built with permanent brick structures, as well as schools and health facilities, would have turned into ghost site.

More than 3,000 Congolese have since November last year been moved to Mahama camp from Kigeme camp in Karongi district. Thousands more still remain there.

Out of the 12,000 Congolese in Gihembe camps (Gicumbi), more than 2,000 will be moved to Mahama camp. These will begin relocating next month.

According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Emergency Management, which oversees refugees, the relocations from both camps are targeted at refugees whose homes are situated on what are called “high risk zones”.

Both Kigeme and Gihembe camps were built on hills. Both regions are prone to heavy rain and landslides, which have affected the two camps every year.

When our reporter visited Gihembe camp in Gicumbi, the Congolese refugees swarmed her to narrate their concerns. However, none was willing to be identified for the story, perhaps fearing repercussions.

Their colleagues in Kigeme faced the full wrath of government when they held a demonstration in February 2018 over reduced food rations. The authorities responded with full force, leaving some deaths and injuries. 31 of them are currently in court facing prosecution for the deadly protest.

At the Gihembe camp, one refugee told our reporter: “Why do they want to separate families? If they are relocating, they should relocate all of us, not just a few.”

“We have had to come back here as refugees twice. Sending us to another camp is sending us into refugee life for a third time,” said another refugee.

The Chronicles has also been informed that the government land on which the Gihembe camp is located had been planned for establishment of a university several years ago. At the time, local and central government official hoped the refugees wouldn’t stay too long.

More than 20 years later, the Congolese are still around. The planned university, was eventually established in another location. It is the Byumba University of Technology and Arts (UTAB), which opened in 2006 as an institute.

Murebwayire Gorethi, the head of Gihembe camp said there are no ulterior motives behind the relocations of the Congolese.

“We really love these refugees. Everything we do is for their good. I wonder why they can’t see that. Their homes are at risk of landslides,” said Murebwayire.

She said there was huge space with well developed amenities in Mahama camp that will be left behind by departing Burundians.

Twishime Jean Claude, spokesman for the Emergencies Ministry said the land on which Gihembe camp is located is public land. “There is no other owner for this land and therefore all speculation that the refugees are being relocated so that its given to a developer, is false,” he said.

Dr Ndahayo Fidele, vice-chancellor of UTAB said the university was initially scheduled to get the land on which Gihembe camp is located. But that the institution was eventually established in another location.

“We didn’t get that land on which Gihembe camp is located, which means it remained public land. We have nothing to do with it. We no longer need it because we have our own,” said Dr Ndahayo.

What is clear from the divergent information going around is that government officials have done little to sensitize the Congolese refugees that the relocations are for their good. The refugees feel they have not been consulted, while officials wonder why the refugees can’t see the good that’s coming their way.

The UN refugees agency UNHCR expects that by end of this year, most of the 44,000 Burundians still here would have gone back home. They will leave a huge camp area.

By Phoibe Mukandayisenga

Story done in collaboration with Radio Ishingiro, based in Gicumbi district and covering northern Rwanda

We can't do quality journalism without your support

Perhaps it goes without saying — but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue are declining, The Chronicles remains committed to "Serving Your Right To Know The Truth". Stand with us as we document Rwanda's remarkable journey for you and the future generation. Do you value our journalism? We can't do it without you. Show us with your support by CONTRIBUTING HERE.
Email your news TIPS to info@chronicles.rw or WhatsApp +250788351327.
You can also find us on Signal

30 Comments

  1. Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is amazing, nice written and come
    with almost all important infos. I would like to look extra posts like
    this .

  2. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community.
    Your web site provided us with valuable information to work
    on. You have done a formidable job and our entire neighborhood can be thankful to you.

  3. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you should
    write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not speak about such subjects.
    To the next! Many thanks!!

  4. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website?
    My blog site is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit
    from a lot of the information you present here. Please let
    me know if this alright with you. Thank you!

  5. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who was conducting a little homework on this. And he actually bought me lunch simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this topic here on your web page.

  6. I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and entertaining, and let
    me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is
    something which too few folks are speaking intelligently
    about. I’m very happy I found this during my hunt for something relating to this.

    My web site … [https://www.homedecorating-grimsby.co.uk/the-best-proofreading-software-for-error-free-writing/ content grammarly premium

  7. Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.

    Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?

    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Cheers

  8. Hi there! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent info you have here on this post. I am returning to your web site for more soon.

  9. Hey! I know this is somewhat off-topic but I needed to ask.
    Does running a well-established blog such as yours require
    a large amount of work? I am completely new to blogging however I do write in my journal everyday.
    I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my
    experience and feelings online. Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for
    brand new aspiring bloggers. Appreciate it!

  10. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually recognise
    what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally discuss with my website =).
    We may have a hyperlink trade agreement among us

  11. I do agree with all the ideas you’ve introduced on your post.
    They’re really convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too brief for starters.
    May just you please prolong them a little from subsequent time?
    Thanks for the post.

  12. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought
    this post was good. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going
    to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  13. You are so cool! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read something like that before. So great to discover somebody with original thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!

  14. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same
    nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

  15. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!
    Very helpful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot.
    I was looking for this certain information for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

  16. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between user
    friendliness and visual appeal. I must say you have done a amazing job with this.
    Also, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Internet
    explorer. Outstanding Blog!

  17. Thanks for your marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you will
    be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and
    definitely will come back very soon. I want to
    encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice weekend!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *