In Rwanda, Burundi border residents want the border to be reopened

In Rwanda Burundi border residents want the border to be

Rwandans are set to go to the polls on July 15 for presidential and legislative elections. The head of state for 24 years, Paul Kagame, is running for a fourth term as the M23 crisis exacerbates tensions in the region. In mid-January 2024, Burundi decided to close its borders with Rwanda, accusing the authorities in Kigali of supporting the Burundian rebels of RED-Taraba after a bloody attack. Report from the Nemba border post, paralyzed for seven months.

2 min

With our special correspondent back from Nemba, Liza Fabbian

Only a few monkeys emerging from the forest still cross the Nemba border post, a small distraction for the two young Rwandan police officers posted next to the closed barrier.

The same torpor hangs over the small shop run by Nyandwi Issa. Truckers used to stop right there to buy our products. And it was the same for bus passengers. But now there is no cross-border trade. We can no longer buy products at Burundinor send ours there. »

Timid resumption of activities in 2022

Activity had resumed timidly in October 2022, when Gitega officially reopened its border with Kigali after seven years of closure. But Béatrice, a Burundian living in the Gashora district, had not dared to return to her country. It has been four years since I last saw my brother who lives in Bujumbura. He cannot come and I cannot go. If the border were open and we were sure we would be safe, I could go back to my property in Burundi and decide whether I prefer to stay there or come back here. ” she laments.

Leaning against his bike at the side of the road, the young Valencian half-heartedly hopes that the government will take up the issue. It is up to the government to resolve this situation. I am sure that they know what consequences this crisis has on us and that they will find a solution. It is not up to us to do so. “, he believes.

Kigali has always rejected outright the accusations of the Burundian authorities, who were ordered not to ” involve the Rwanda ” in their ” internal affairs “.

Read alsoRelations between Rwanda and Burundi are becoming more strained in a tense regional context

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