Nduta (Tanzania) : a former refugee wanted by the police

He is however known for his zeal in collaborating with secret services in the camp to track down and mistreat other refugees. This Burundian who had renounced his refugee status was also cited in several cases of forced disappearances of his compatriots. He is ardently sought by the police in Tanzania. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The concerned person is named Doris. His house was completely demolished on Tuesday evening. His home, which was located in village 21 of zone 12, was destroyed by police officers and civilian guards, the famous “Sungusungu” who rule the Nduta camp in Tanzania.

The act brings satisfaction to the refugees

“It is not a question of being cynical, on the contrary we celebrate the victory because he had sought my head many times, had it not been for the protection of God”, reacted a Burundian, hunted by the illustrious “Doris” known to be sent by the Burundian government to follow the trail of young opponents and presumed rebels in Nduta.

“He was the one who drew up the lists of refugees to be arbitrarily arrested, to be made to disappear or to be killed because some never returned after being denounced by Doris”, remember Burundian refugees.

Returned to the camp without being a refugee

Doris, originally from Ruyigi province (eastern Burundi and bordering Tanzania), had been officially repatriated in 2018. Two years later, he returned under another hat.

“He was escorted by civilian guards, traveled with police officers and/or intelligence officers. He lives here without being a refugee,” says a former village chief where Doris “lived.”

According to sources on the ground, he could disappear and reappear two or three months later.

“We fear him here, he dresses exactly like the Imbonerakure : boots, cap and uniforms similar to those of the Burundian military,” says a community leader who claims to “meet him in almost all administrative meetings, even though his name does not appear anywhere on the list of refugees’ representatives.” The Imbonerakure are members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party in Burundi, described by the United Nations as a “militia.”

What has changed

For some time, refugees have continued to denounce his actions, either openly or in writing.

However, the administration and the police do not give importance to the grievances of the occupants of this camp.

Very recently, some police officers have been transferred. And refugees took advantage of this to renew their demand.

“And there you have it, the hunt is back on him. He has not been seen here in the camp for two weeks. When his house was destroyed, the police launched a search for him, asking refugees to report the police once they see him,” says a refugee who witnessed the demolition of Doris’s house.

“The crowd was large and shouting loudly to show their relief,” recalls our source.

His wife, with whom he lived in the house, was placed with her parents by the police, the latter being refugees recognized by the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.

The occupants of Nduta breathe a sigh of relief and demand that the group that “Doris had formed” also be searched for and dismantled.

“It is also a strong message that whoever participates in the violation of rights of his compatriots here will end up being vomited out. Let other people who act like Doris pull themselves together!”, say refugees.

Nduta is home to more than 58,000 Burundian refugees. Its occupants fled the 2015 crisis following another controversial term of late President Pierre Nkurunziza the same year, for the most part.