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Rwanda voices concern over influx of Burundi refugees

Xinhua, April 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Rwanda is concerned of a massive influx of Burundian refugees in the country allegedly fleeing the eruption violence as Burundi prepares for parliamentary and president elections set for May and June this year.

According to the Rwanda Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, the number of Burundian refugees in Rwanda has reached 6,571 as of Wednesday evening, up from about 4,000 last weekend, with the majority of them being children.

Speaking to reporters on Friday Antoine Ruvebana, Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs said that the number continues to rise despite the fact that Rwanda was putting in place measures to accommodate them.

"We are receiving many refugees and this is a great concern, because refugee life is unfavourable especially for children. UNICEF has come on board to help us deal with the situation," he noted.

Ruvebana stated most refugees are insecure of the presidential elections saying that there is a possibility of eruption of violence among the population.

Failure to conduct free and fair elections could result into a return deadly violence in Burundi, according to UNICEF officials in Kigali.

Presidential elections are scheduled for June 26 and incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza has not publicly said if he will seek a third term.

Nkurunziza, in power since 2005, is expected to run for a third term in office despite opponents' claims that a new mandate would violate the Small Central African constitution.

Supporters of Nkurunziza claim that he is eligible for a third term, as his first term began after being elected by Parliament rather than a popular vote, and so it is not included in the term limit.

The first Burundi refugees entered Rwanda in mid March; they were received and hosted by Rwandan families near the border.

Early this week Rwandan President Paul Kagame met and held discussions with his Burundian counterpart, Pierre Nkurunziza over pre-election tension and the alleged potential for violence in Burundi, security in the Great Lakes and regional cooperation in various sectors.

The two leaders met in Huye town in the Southern Province of Rwanda. Endi