The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Vincent Biruta, said that to establish good relations with Burundi, everyone must show their willingness. This was during a lively press conference in the room of his ministry on Wednesday 12 August 2020.
According to Foreign Minister and government spokesman, Dr Vincent Biruta, Rwanda is ready to establish good relations with all its neighbours, including Burundi. However, to achieve this, each party must play its role.
“In order to establish good relations, each side must show its will. On the Burundi side, this will seems to be lacking,” said Minister Biruta.
On the issue of refugees, Dr. Vincent Biruta said Rwanda has no interest in keeping refugees wishing to return home. “Saying that Rwanda has taken Burundian refugees hostage would mean that elsewhere this issue no longer arises. This is not the case,” he said.
“The effective repatriation of refugees requires the involvement of the country of origin, the host country and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR),” said Dr. Biruta.
Dr. Biruta blames Burundi for refusing to receive its 136 nationals. They were in Rwanda when the common border was closed. “It is surprising to hear their President Ndayishimiye himself accusing us of taking refugees hostage when we facilitated the return of Burundians to their homes at the request of their embassy but they were refused entry into their country. »
He recalls that before the covid-19 pandemic, at least 200 Burundians returned home every month.
Gerard Rugambwa
