- I want to commend the Tanzanian Government for the way it has been handling the refugee situation in the western part of the country. I know that this is a view also shared by my colleagues within the European Union. This is said by the Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrström, currently holding the EU Presidency, after a visit to Kigoma and Rukwa regions – arranged by UNHCR.
- The Tanzanian people have for decades shown a significant generosity towards people fleeing from war and oppression in other countries - thereby taking the responsibility that should be seen as the norm for all countries. Now significant efforts are being made to promote solutions for refugees from the 90’s. The most significant of these solutions have been voluntary repatriation. This has lead to almost half a million (some 490,000) refugees repatriating from Tanzania and the closure of most of the former camps.
- In particular I want to commend the Government’s decision to give Burundian refugees who came to Tanzania in 1972 the choice to repatriate or apply for Tanzanian citizenship according to the laws of the country. These refugees, having benefited from the Tanzanian Government’s generosity of providing land and access to the national Swahili schooling system, have lived harmoniously and contributed to the local economy during the past decades. They will be an important resource both in Burundi for those who return as well as in Tanzania for those who will become new Tanzanians. I look forward to following this important process to a successful conclusion in the near future, says Ambassador Staffan Herrström.
- I was also impressed by the work of UNHCR, which over many years has received substantial support by the international community, including from European Member states and the European Commission, for their work in assisting the Government of Tanzania in managing the refugee situation, says Ambassador Staffan Herrström.