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Departing Exile in Rwanda, Burundian Refugees Return Home

Pierre Claver Niyonkuru

   NEMBA BORDER CROSSING, EASTERN RWANDA - Disembarking from one of 20
   large tour buses on the Rwanda side of the Gasenyi-Nemba border
   crossing, Emanuel Biziman couldn't contain his tears of joy at nearing
   his native Burundi.

   "Oh, I will finally find my relatives!" said Bizimana, amid the shouts
   and cries of more than 500 refugees preparing to cross into Burundi.

   Arriving Thursday, the refugees were in the first contingent of
   Burundians to be repatriated en masse from Rwanda since fleeing their
   homeland five years ago. Roughly 350,000 had left Burundi -- mostly for
   neighboring countries -- after violent protests in 2015 sparked by
   then-President Pierre Nkurunziza's move to secure a controversial third
   term.

   Nkurunziza's unexpected death in June has led many to believe they can
   safely return home under the leadership of new President Ãvariste
   Ndayishimiye.

   "I decided to return because I heard that my country has recovered
   peace," said Marie Chantal, carrying a child on her back while holding
   another by the hand and balancing a large bag of clothing on her head.

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