Tanzania detains 92 refugees from Mozambique in Mtwara

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Tanzania detains 92 refugees from Mozambique in Mtwara

3:30 CAT | 15 Jul 2018

"For those who will remain in the camp, I assure them that all humanitarian aid will be provided,” saidMtwara Regional Commissioner Gelasius Byakanwa. Meanwhile, tThe camp commandant, Lt. Colonel Elvice Massawe, stated that the camp was safe and Mozambican refugees would go back to their respective homes once diplomatic dialogue between the two countries was concluded and peace was restored in their country.

Tanzanian authorities are holding 92 Mozambicans who fled earlier this month following riots which eruption in their country, ‘The Guardian on Sunday’ reports today.

At least 544 Tanzanians residing in Mozambique who also fled and were temporarily detained at Chivava village mini refugee’s camp in Mtwara region had been freed to rejoin their families, adds the same source.

The move followed the certification of their citizenship by the authorities, leaving non-Tanzanians still detained at the camp with enough supplementary humanitarian support.

In July, last year, at least 636 Tanzanians who used to live in Mozambique and some Mozambican nationals crossed the Ruvuma river border after reported riots in Kisungule village on the Mozambique side.

Mtwara Regional Commissioner Gelasius Byakanwa said it was necessary to detain them for a while to pave way for security inspection and citizenship verification.

“We have identified and certified that 544 people are Tanzanians and 92 Mozambicans totaling 636 people who were accommodated at the camp, of whom 228 were men, 216 women and 192 children,” said Byakanwa, adding:

“It’s the role of the communities near the border to be vigilant to make sure that any people who are not familiar to them are reported immediately to the security organs in the camp. And for those who will remain in the camp, I assure them that all humanitarian aid will be provided.”

The camp commandant, Lt. Colonel Elvice Massawe, stated that the camp was safe and Mozambican refugees would go back to their respective homes once diplomatic dialogue between the two countries was concluded and peace was restored in their country.

One of the refugees, Fatuma Saidi, said, “An armed gang raided the village, burning houses, kidnapping people and killing others…we heard gun shots. We thank God that we managed to escape to Tanzania.”

Tanzania detains 92 refugees from Mozambique in Mtwarahttps://t.co/m9b3Vhw3mA pic.twitter.com/YkriDzidAI

— The Guardian Limited (@TheGuardiantz) July 15, 2018