Tanzania withdraws from UN refugee programme

NAIROBI — Tanzanian President John Magufuli has announced his country will pull out of the UN’s “comprehensive refugee response framework”, which provides lasting solutions for refugees, including integration into host communities.

“Tanzania has decided to withdraw for reasons of security and lack of funds,” a statement said.

President Magufuli announced the decision on Friday at a meeting of top diplomats in Dar es Salaam, the country’s biggest city.

Tanzania informed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in January that it was suspending the granting of citizenship to some Burundian refugees and that it would discourage new asylum applications.

Tanzania has long been considered a safe haven for refugees, particularly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to the Tanzanian government newspaper Daily News, Magufuli blames the international community for failing to release funds pledged to help Tanzania integrate refugees.

According to UNHCR, the “comprehensive refugee response framework” approach is based on the idea that refugees should be included in their host communities.

When refugees have access to education and the right to work legally, they can develop their skills and be more self-reliant, contributing to the local economy. — AFP