The government has given Burundian refugees who have moved into the country with cars two months (renewable once) temporary admissions after which they will have to pay Rwf20,000 ($30) each month. While government is still reviewing a decision to relocate Burundian refugees to other countries, they had earlier appealed for provisional solution for car owners. Concerned people are those who had fled with their cars and settled in towns but later relocated to camps when life in urban centres became difficult. They fear driving their cars due to expired registration limit. Appearing before the parliamentary Standing Committee on Unity, Human Rights and Fight against Genocide to update it on the welfare of the refugees, Seraphine Mukantabana, the minister for refugee affairs and disaster management, said government was yet to find a permanent solution to the refugees’ concerns. The custom union’s laws state that foreign-registered cars are given two weeks, temporary import certificate to move freely inside the country. The permission can only be extended to three months if the owner (ordinary foreigner) has genuine reasons to stay in the country longer. The law also requires foreign-registered car to owners pay $30 (about Rwf20,000) a month. After the expiry of the three months, one has to cross back to their country of origin and re-enter Rwanda or risk a fine equivalent to 20 per cent of the value of the car. However, Mukantabana said negotiations with other stakeholders, including Immigration directorate, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and Finance ministry were due to take place to find lasting solution. “They are complaining about lack of parking lots, which we don’t provide in camps, and they have also been appealing for permission to drive their cars without being penalised,” she said. Raphael Tugirumuremyi, the RRA commissioner for customs, said a temporary solution is for a refugee to seek admission papers that lasts four months. “We cannot go against both the customs union and customs management acts. We reminded them about having identification detailing their status as refugees and the required process to declare assets at the border. “Moreover, we resolved to process a two-month renewable document that can allow them to drive their cars freely, which can only be extended to two more months,” he said. Tugirumuremyi added that refugees who own cars can choose to register them for local number plates. The Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson, Jean Marie Ndushabandi, said there were currently no special provisions in place for Burundi refugees. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
