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- Jul 30, 2008
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President Jakaya Kikwete has granted citizenship to 162,000 Burundian refugees who have lived in the country for some 42 years.
The President issued copies of citizenship certificates on Nyerere Day – October 14, in Tabora Region where he was on an official visit.
In attendance at the event were a number ofgovernment officials including Home Affairs minister, Mathias Chikawe, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Director in the country, High Commissioners for United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Belgium and representative for the European Union, Japan and Catholic Bishop for Tabora Diocese, Paul Ruzoka.
President Kikwete said his expectation is to see the new citizens fulfilling their promise of being good citizens.
"What you are seeing today is the fulfillment of the promise I made to you a longtime ago which was to grant you citizenship. My expectation and those of our fellow Tanzanians is to see you being good citizens as you have promised when swearing," said Kikwete.
Speaking at the function, UNHCR representative in the country, Joyce Mends-Cole, said Tanzania has been the first country to grant citizenship to such a number all at once.
For her part, Ireland High Commissioner to Tanzania, Fionnula Gilsenan who spoke on behalf of her fellow High Commissioners, commended President Kikwete for granting citizenships to the former refugees.
''You (President) have done a great job. This is a very big act and you yourself have seen how you have made these people happy. You have heard their appreciative songs to you and your government," she said.
In 2007 President Kikwete had made a promise to grant citizenship to the Burundian refugees who have been in the country since 1972.
The former refugees had been living in refugees' camp in Kaliua district, Tabora Region.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN