Due to an array of crisis’ occuring since 1972, there are now about 470, 000 refugees in Tanzania, which represent more than 7% of the Burundi population. Since June 1998, the parties to the Burundi conflict have started peace talks in Arusha. One of the negotiating committees in the talks, was specifically tasked to find a solution to the refugee plight and allow them to return safely to Burundi and to be restored in their citizen rights. Prospects for a solution to the plight of the refugees are closely linked to a political settlement in Burundi and now the resolution of the 1998-99 DRC war. The Burundian refugee camps in Tanzania are stigmatised for being highly militarised and for harbouring rebel movements. This article explores the history of this conflict and the key to its resolve.
