Burundi’s local observatory for transnational crime, ONLCT Où est ton frère, has called for urgent dialogue between the government and the youth to address the escalating issues of poverty and unemployment, which it claims are driving the sharp rise in illegal migration. Prime Mbarubukeye, chairman of the observatory, made the appeal on Monday following reports of the arrest of over 150 undocumented Burundian migrants in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, last week.
Mbarubukeye stressed the need for a dedicated platform where young people can voice their concerns about poverty, unemployment, and the root causes of illegal migration. “Such a platform would give youth the opportunity to express their frustrations and contribute to solutions for these critical issues,” he said. He argued that a structured dialogue would help stem the alarming rise of clandestine migration from Burundi to neighboring countries and beyond.
According to ONLCT, 156 undocumented Burundians were detained during a Zambian immigration operation called “Clean-Up,” which took place on Friday in the capital Lusaka. The operation also led to the arrest of 261 illegal migrants from various countries, including Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Egypt, according to the same observatory.
Mbarubukeye has urged the Burundian government to take stronger action against illegal migration and human trafficking. He recommended that the government allocate the necessary financial resources to organize missions that would provide real-time support to Burundian migrants abroad and facilitate their voluntary return to Burundi when necessary.
The issue of undocumented Burundians abroad has raised concerns for both Burundi and Zambia in the past. In August, Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye visited Zambia, where he met with his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema to discuss the situation. The two leaders agreed to establish a joint commission to address the plight of Burundian migrants in irregular situations, aiming to find long-term solutions.
“The Heads of State have committed to establishing a mixed ad hoc commission tasked with examining the situation of Burundians in irregular situations or in conflict with the laws of the host country, with the aim of finding lasting solutions to this issue,” local collective of Burundian bloggers, Yaga, quoted Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Albert Shingiro as saying.
The recent arrest of over 150 undocumented Burundians in Lusaka highlights the growing problem of illegal migration, with many young Burundians seeking opportunities abroad due to lack of employment and economic instability at home.
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