Burundi Refugees Asked to Fight Their Own People

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Burundi officials say refugees who fled to neighboring Rwanda are being asked now to fight against their homeland.

An adviser to Burundi's president told voice of America that Burundi has proof that the refugees were recruited into armed groups. Adviser Willy Nyamitwe say some of the recruits are children.

“We have evidence that people are being trained in Rwanda,” he said. “Some persons … have been caught by the army. They revealed that they have been trained in Rwanda.”

The presidential aide also said smuggled weapons come from Rwanda.

Rwandan officials have denied all charges of recruitment and weapons smuggling.

A report from Refugees International, a humanitarian organization that helps refugees, confirmed that armed groups in Rwanda are recruiting Burundians in refugee camps. The report mentioned that close to 80 refugees interviewed said they were asked to fight.

The United Nations refugee agency says more than 93,000 Burundi citizens have fled their homeland since April.

I'm Anne Ball.

Anita Powell wrote this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

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