GATUMBA, Burundi, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Monday handed over to Burundi 70 Burundian refugees who voluntarily accepted to be repatriated and who had fled the country's 2015 crisis.
Those 70 Burundian refugees -- making up 24 households -- came from the Lusenda refugee camp in South Kivu province in the eastern DR Congo and were welcomed by Burundian authorities at Gatumba border post, 15 kilometers west of the Burundian capital Bujumbura.
"I respond to the call by the Burundian president who said that peace and security have now been restored to the country. The president invited us to return home," said one of the returnees who requested anonymity.
Assistant to Minister of Home Affairs and Civic Education of Burundi Terence Ntahiraja who welcomed those returnees blamed "false" news found on internet as the reason behind the refugees' refusal to return home.
"Over 70 refugees could have decided to return home, but they fear about their security in their home country after reading false news on internet. We hope that those who are still in refugee camps will know the reality via these returnees," said Ntahiraja.
Ntahiraja indicated that a tripartite meeting due in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on August 31 this year, that will bring together officials from Burundi, Tanzania and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will analyze "modalities" of repatriating Burundian refugees from all refugee camps.
Returnees were each given food and non-food assistance and 60 U.S. dollars for their integration on the community.
Burundi plunged into a crisis since April 2015 when Burundian President Nkurunziza decided to run his controversial third term in violation of the national constitution and the 2000 Arusha Agreement.
His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.
Over 410,000 people fled to other countries mostly Tanzania, Rwanda, DR Congo and Uganda since the outbreak of the crisis.
