Hundreds of Burundians who fled into the country last week seeking refuge have refused to be repatriated, arguing that there were still security concerns in their country.

During a meeting with a delegation of Burundian officials that was in the country to convince them to go back, the refugees, mostly from Kirundo Province in northern Burundi, said security remained a pressing issue.

Stan Rutsikiri, from Ntega commune, who is now in a transit camp in Bugesera District, said he could not repatriate unless a militia locally known in Burundi as Imbonerakure stopped harassing them.

"We can’t go back to Burundi since Imbonerakure are terrifying us. They throw stones at our houses, they beat us, saying we are opposed to the ruling party. Having seen that we were in danger, we fled and we can’t go back unless there is adequate security,” Rutsikiri said.

Sylvanie Muhawenimana, from Bujumbura, said she was searching her son, who she claims fled to Rwanda.

"My son disappeared last week and I was told that he might have come to Rwanda. When I arrived here, I was told that he was abducted by Imbonerakure and taken to Kiyanzi forest for military training. For sure, we have no peace in Burundi with Imbonerakure,” Muhawenimana said.

Paschal Rwasa, from Burori commune, said adequate security would be a vital factor if they are to be repatriated.

"Last Saturday, a group of Imbonerakure attacked my home. I tried to hide but I was finally caught. They led me to Kiyanzi forest where were training. We were about 20 people but as we tried to escape, most of us were shot. I managed to escape, but sensing that I could be abducted again, I decided to flee. Once peace is restored in Burundi I will repatriate.”

Edouard Nduwimana, the Burundian minister for internal affairs, and his delegation heard the testimonies of the refugees during an event in one of the camps in Bugesera on Saturday.

Nduwimana, who led the delegation, told his countrymen that there was adequate security since those who were terrorising them are being arrested.

"It is true that people have to flee when they feel that their lives are in danger, but I want to assure you that there is adequate security in Burundi since we have arrested all those who were terrifying you. Imbonerakure’s role is to ensure your security. Those who were abusing their power have been arrested and some of them prosecuted,” he said.

"We have come with officials from different areas, including local administration, security and judiciary, so that they can explain to you the current situation in the country so that you can repatriate.”

Col Gerard Bigirimana, the commandant of the army in northern Burundi, faulted the group for not reporting their security concerns to relevant authorities.

"We have several military barracks in Kirundo, once you report any threats in a certain area, we conduct operations to restore order. Yet, instead of reporting those threats you just fled the country which is not the solution,” Col Bigirimana said.

Seraphine Mukantabana, the minister for disaster preparedness and refugee affairs, said the group was free to repatriate or stay in the country once they felt it was not safe to go back.

"I hope they have heard what the authorities told them. It is up to them to decide on repatriation or stay. Those who will decide to go back will be facilitated but those who will choose to stay will be relocated from close to border as provided by the laws governing refugees,” the minister said.

Since last week, 765 Burundians from Kirundo province have been crossed into the country.

They are living in two temporary camps established in Gashora Sector in Bugesera District that hosts 534 refugees, while the rest stay in a camp in Muyira Sector, Nyanza District.

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