The problem of irregular seasonal workers, the question of refugees, the construction of premises specific to the Kigoma consular mission are, among other things, the subjects on which Iwacu, passing through Kigoma in the United Republic of Tanzania, discussed with Jérémie Kekenwa, Consul General of Burundi in Kigoma. When was the creation of the Consulate General of Burundi
The problem of irregular seasonal workers, the question of refugees, the construction of premises specific to the Kigoma consular mission are, among other things, the subjects on which Iwacu, passing through Kigoma in the United Republic of Tanzania, discussed with Jérémie Kekenwa, Consul General of Burundi in Kigoma.
When was the creation of the Consulate General of Burundi in Kigoma?
According to the archives of the consulate, the first signature of a consul general dates from 1983. We can say that the Consulate General of Burundi in Kigoma was created in this year.
Why the creation of this consular mission?
This is due to the presence of a large community of Burundians in the region.
What exactly does the Consulate General of Kigoma offer?
We deal with issues related to the protection of Burundians living in the Kigoma region. We assist them with administrative issues. We also deal with economic issues. As we are at the border, there are commercial exchanges that are established. There are Burundians who have settled here and who do business. There are also Burundians who are inside the country and who trade with Tanzanians from Kigoma.
What regarding administrative issues?
We can cite the travel documents that we issue within the framework of good neighborliness (Ujirani Mwema). For example, passes for those who want to return to Burundi because between the Kigoma region and the border provinces of Burundi, there was a memorandum of understanding. It is stipulated that Burundians from Makamba, Rutana, Ruyigi, Cankuzo, Muyinga and Rumonge provinces can cross and come to the Kigoma region on simple presentation of a ticket which is given to the immigration office at the Burundi border. . It happens that there are Burundians established here who would like to go to the country. At the consulate, we issue them these passes which allow them to travel without any problem.
How much do these passes cost?
These are documents that are given free of charge.
What challenges do you face?
We encounter many challenges related to the presence of many Burundians living in Kigoma. The most important challenge is that of non-compliance with the law governing immigration. Many Burundians cross the border without having the necessary documents to enter Tanzanian territory. When stopped by immigration officials, they fall back on us for assistance.
How then do you collaborate with the Tanzanian authorities?
We work very well with the Tanzanian authorities. We are satisfied. When apprehending people in an irregular situation, immigration officers understand us. Instead of rigorously applying the Tanzanian law which says that a person who violates the immigration law is punished with one year penal servitude or a fine of 500 thousand Tanzanian shillings. When we are informed of such cases, we approach them and they release them with the condition that they return to Burundi.
Are there many such cases?
They are numerous. This is what makes the authorities in charge of immigration complain because they find that most Burundians who enter do not have travel documents. They come here, they settle without documents. The fault is not on the side of Tanzania, but rather on the side of these irregular Burundians. Per week, we have an average of 60 to 70 people to attend.
What do you advise Burundians?
To comply with Tanzanian immigration law. As part of Ujirani Mwema, especially for people in the border provinces of Tanzania, you just need to apply for the Ujirani Mwema pass and it is recognized in Tanzania. But unfortunately, there are people who do not take this precaution.
What is the profile of the people arrested?
The people apprehended are often young people between 17 and 20 years old. Most are those who have not been able to continue their studies. So they come to the villages to look for work. The bulk of these young people are in the agro-pastoral sector. It should be noted that this would be an opportunity for these provinces if this issue were well managed.
Ujirani Mwema pass users lament that the granted length of stay of 15 days is short.
They are right and wrong at the same time. When the Ujirani Mwema pass was introduced, it was just to allow family visits. I think 15 days is enough to visit relatives.
However, there are those who use it for some income-generating activities by working in agriculture and animal husbandry. For the latter, two weeks is not enough.
Why not advocate for them?
First of all, this memorandum of understanding would have to be respected. If it were respected, we would see a very good will at the level of the Tanzanian authorities to extend the validity of this document.
In December 2021, at the Ujirani Mwema meeting held in Makamba province between the administrative authorities of the border provinces with Tanzania and those of Kigoma, it was agreed that the validity of this document will be extended to 3 months. You understand that it is the implementation of this decision that remains perhaps a little difficult.
Why then ?
Today, the 15-day deadline is not respected. The ball is in our court. The administrative authorities in these border provinces should take matters into their own hands. I would even say the authorities of most of the provinces of Burundi because there are seasonal workers who come from Karusi, Gitega, Ngozi… who are apprehended without having documents.
If this issue were truly internalized, there is a way that this document might economically benefit people from these regions. When they don’t have this document, most of the time, they come home penniless. Because when they are apprehended, they are sent back manu militari. Which is completely normal.
At the level of the province, commune and hill, the administrative authorities must sensitize people so that they cross with documents.
Kigoma is home to two Burundian refugee camps namely Nduta and Nyarugusu. Some Burundians are reluctant to return to their homeland. A message ?
They are still Burundians. May they continue to feel Burundian. They are not excluded because of the circumstances that led them to leave their country. They are sons and daughters of the country that we are called to encourage to return. These days, the return movement has diminished. It’s not us who manage it, it’s the UNHCR.
Accompanied by the persons in charge of the Tanzanian direction in charge of the refugees, we went to visit them to inform them on the real situation of the country. We talked to them and we understood that there are some people among the refugees who discourage them. We made them understand that it is in their interest to return to their motherland because life in the camps is not viable. Especially taking into account that there are children and young people whose future is not assured.
The Consulate General of Burundi in Kigoma is currently renting its offices. Do you intend to build your own premises?
This is a question that has been taken into account by Reta Mvyeyi, Reta Nkozi (the responsible and hard-working state). The government has planned the construction of an office specific to the consular mission in Kigoma. This is already provided for in the 2022-2023 budget. We have already signed a contract with a contractor. The latter has already begun the preparatory work. Within a year, the buildings will be completed. These are two separate buildings of 3 levels erected on 16 ares. One will serve as the chancery and the other building will serve as apartments. The cost of the project is 2 billion Tanzanian shillings.
Interview by Fabrice Manirakiza
