Can Tanzania be an inspiration to other countries with long-term refugee problems?
Broadcasting date: 7th May 2010
Presenter: Vuyiswa
Guests:
Femi Okutubo, Editor-in-Chief, The Trumpet Newspaper
Dennis Katungi, Spokesperson, NRMUK
PHONE:
Eveline Wolfcarius, External Relations Officer, UNHCR Tanzania
Description:
Historic decision by Tanzania to naturalise over 160,000 Burundian refugees We have never examined the issue of refugees on the African continent.
Brief:
In 2000, Tanzania had the largest refugee population in Africa with 680,000 people in camps near its northwest border.
Since national reconciliation in Burundi - supported by the UN peacekeeping operation there (ONUB) - some 500,000 refugees have returned home.
The UN has praised Tanzania for granting citizenship to some 162,000 refugees who fled Burundi 38 years ago.
"It's the most generous naturalisation of refugees anywhere," said UN refugee agency spokeswoman Melissa Fleming.
UNHCR head Antonio Guterres described it as a "historic moment" and urged other countries with long-term refugees to follow Tanzania's example.
