Tanzania Speaksout on Move to Expel Rwandans

{{Tanzania has denied claims that its recent expulsion of illegal immigrants from the country’s Kagera region targeted Rwandans because of the souring in relations between the two countries.}}

Director of Communications at Tanzania’s State House Salva Rweyemamu said the move was directed at all illegal immigrants in the region and not Rwandans alone.

On July 29, President Jakaya Kikwete gave a two-week ultimatum to illegal immigrants to leave the region, a development that has resulted in a bitter war of words between Kigali and Dar es Salaam.

In an interview with The EastAfrican, Rweyemamu said the ultimatum expired on August 12 and the operation to remove illegal immigrants was expected to start any time from now.

It will involve security forces and the military. It will be humanitarian and intended to help those who cannot go back to their countries to do so.

Rweyemamu denied relations between the countries had been affected by the bitter exchange of words following President Kikwete’s May 26 remark urging Rwanda to seek talks with the Democratic Forces for Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a remnant Hutu militia group that is based in eastern DR Congo.

“Internally, we have no problem with any country. Rwanda and Tanzania remain two friendly countries, the borders of the two countries and diplomatic channels are open, and we continue to communicate as usual,” he said.

{agencies}