First Burundi refugees in Tanzania to return home as mass repatriation starts - official

Burundi agreed on Tuesday that the first group of its refugees in Tanzania would return home on Thursday as mass repatriation planned by the two governments begins, a Burundian official told Reuters.

About 1,000 refugees are in the first group, Nestor Bimenyimana, the Burundi government's general manager for repatriation, said. He said the process is "voluntary".

The United Nations and rights groups have said they fear the governments may force the refugees to return home to a dangerous environment where they face political persecution. (Writing by Maggie Fick; ; editing by John Stonestreet)

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