Tanzania has closed Nduta refugee camp and repatriated thousands of Burundians, activists and United Nations officials said Friday reported.
Burundian refugees recently complained of forced eviction from Nduta camp in northwestern Tanzania under a repatriation deal between governments involved.
As of late 2025, about 142,000 Burundian refugees lived in Tanzania’s Nduta and Nyarugusu camps, UNHCR data shows official figures.
They had fled civil war, political repression, and deep poverty in Burundi within Africa’s Great Lakes region over many years.
Approximately 3,000 remaining refugees in Nduta were forcibly loaded onto vehicles Thursday for return to Burundi, CDH/VICAR said report stated.
Only around ten families remained on site awaiting transfer to Nyarugusu, after 198 families were previously relocated according to reports.
Authorities say Nyarugusu camp is scheduled to close on June 30, according to Tanzanian officials government closure timeline indicates official statement.
Rights groups say refugees faced coercive measures, including movement restrictions, aid pressure, home demolitions, and intimidation recent months reports indicate.
The NGO said these measures led to a sudden surge in departures, resulting in complete closure of the camp ultimately.
The NGO criticised UNHCR for facilitating government operations instead of fully protecting its refugee protection mandate according to statement released.
UNHCR spokesperson says camp closed by government voluntary repatriation agreement between UNHCR and governments of Tanzania and Burundi officially stated.
UNHCR said it consistently raised concerns and reiterated that returns must be voluntary safe and dignified in all cases publicly.
An anonymous UNHCR official confirmed repatriations but declined to comment on allegations of coercion during interview with AFP report agency.
