Burundi has entered into an agreement to join several other African nations in accepting migrants deported from the United States under the hardline immigration policy of Donald Trump. The announcement, made on Tuesday, confirmed that Burundi will serve as a destination for these deportees, though the government provided no specific details regarding the number of individuals involved, the timeline for arrivals, or any financial arrangements associated with the deal.
Nancy Ninette Mutoni, a spokesperson for Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, stated that the country has established strict criteria for those it will accept. According to Mutoni, Burundi will only receive individuals who are not accused of criminal activity or links to terrorism. She noted that authorities in Bujumbura, the country’s economic capital, are currently coordinating preparations to manage the arrivals, including planning for accommodation, living conditions, and integration into local communities.
“Receiving them requires serious planning – where they will stay, what they will eat and how they will live alongside the local population,” Mutoni said. Regarding the potential for citizenship, she added that if the deportees choose to contribute to national development, the law will be respected. The spokesperson emphasized that the agreement is intended to both strengthen diplomatic relations and provide hospitality to those in need.
While the agreement has been announced, the full details remain limited. A spokesperson for the Burundi foreign ministry indicated that the specifics of the arrangement are not yet available, and the US state department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
