On the afternoon of Dec. 18, 2020 in Tanzania’s Nyarugusu refugee camp, a well-known and feared Land Cruiser arrived at a small shop. Men emerged from the vehicle and abducted the shopkeeper and a customer. The abductees, both Burundian refugees, were severely beaten for three days until they were released. Refugees reported this and other stories to SOS Media Burundi, a consortium of Burundian journalists in exile, and explained that the kidnapping, which happened in broad daylight and was witnessed by many, was orchestrated by a Tanzanian intelligence officer.
This incident follows alarming reports on the situation of Burundian refugees in Tanzania, which includes concerns voiced by Amnesty International and other organizations about the bilateral agreement signed between Tanzania and Burundi on Aug. 24, 2019, which states that “returns [of Burundian refugees from Tanzania to Burundi] would continue with or without refugees’ consent.”
