Tanzania is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the 1969 OAU Convention. Tanzania’s refugee framework is anchored in the Refugee Act of 1998 and international conventions, but the absence of implementing regulations leads to significant challenges, inconsistent treatment and uncertainties affecting the realization of their rights. 

Historically, Tanzania led in durable solutions, naturalizing 3,000 Somali Bantus, 10,000 Rwandans, and 162,000 Burundians. However, voluntary repatriation and resettlement are now the only viable durable solutions. 

Voluntary repatriation is promoted for Burundians despite reports of involuntary returns and poor reintegration conditions in Burundi. Since September 2017, 167,557 Burundians have repatriated, with 36,000 more expected to return in 2025. 

Resettlement remains the primary durable solution for Congolese refugees, with 7,000 individuals expected to be processed annually. However, Tanzanian authorities have blocked exit permits for Burundian refugees, fearing it will discourage voluntary return. Additionally, 70,000 Burundians from the 1972 influx remain in legal limbo, alongside populations at risk of statelessness such as the Somali Bantus in Chogo, Tanga, , descendants of the former Rwandese refugees in Kagera and a group of Kenyan origin (Kambas) in Kilimanjaro. UNHCR continues to advocate for their naturalization, aligning with Tanzania’s commitments under regional statelessness initiatives. 

Moreover, Tanzania is also addressing the issue of statelessness, particularly in Zanzibar and other regions where individuals may be at risk of being stateless. A systematic approach to identify and address statelessness is underway, with an emphasis on supporting the legal inclusion of individuals at risk of statelessness through national and regional initiatives.