The Governments of the Republic of Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania, and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, met this week for the 25th Meeting of the Tripartite Commission for the Voluntary Repatriation of Burundian Refugees living in the United Republic of Tanzania. Recognizing the generosity of the government and people of Tanzania in hosting Burundian refugees for decades and the Burundian government’s intensive efforts to support development in areas of return, all parties agreed to continue voluntary repatriation to Burundi in accordance with the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement of May 2001. All parties committed to enhance information-sharing on cross-border labour mobility prospects between Burundi and Tanzania, as well as procedures for accessing these for returnees. Participants noted that these movements should be undertaken in line with existing bilateral legal and administrative frameworks, and as provided for by East African Community (EAC) Protocols and policies. “The policy of...

Kigali — “Through film, I can draw attention to issues like gender-based violence, reaching a wider audience and creating a lasting impact.” In Gikondo, one of the neighborhoods in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, Jeaninne Niyoyankunze, a Burundian refugee, is scripting a narrative that she hopes will amplifying voices often unheard and ultimately inspire change in her community. Living in Rwanda as a refugee since 2017, the mother of five uses her passion for drama and filmmaking to raise awareness about the challenges refugees face, particularly gender-based violence (GBV), and championing the resilience of women and girls in times of displacement. While her days are occupied with different income-generating activities to support her family, she uses her limited free time to create impactful drama episodes that shed light on the impact of GBV on women and girls, demonstrating her commitment to driving change despite herself being displaced. Jeannine’s focus on gender-based...

Nairobi — Governments in Central Africa suppressed civil and political rights, especially in the context of elections, with impunity in 2024, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2025. In the region’s armed conflicts, both government security forces and nonstate armed groups committed serious violations of international humanitarian law with little fear of being held accountable. For the 546-page world report, in its 35th edition, Human Rights Watch reviewed human rights practices in more than 100 countries. In much of the world, Executive Director Tirana Hassan writes in her introductory essay, governments cracked down and wrongfully arrested and imprisoned political opponents, activists, and journalists. Armed groups and government forces unlawfully killed civilians, drove many from their homes, and blocked access to humanitarian aid. In many of the more than 70 national elections in 2024, authoritarian leaders gained ground with their discriminatory rhetoric and policies. “Governments across Central Africa...