The Rwandan Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente, visits Bujumbura to participate in the celebration of the fifty-ninth (59th) anniversary of Burundi’s independence. The normalization of relations is taking shape and there are signs on both sides that the common borders will soon be reopened.
After six years of mistrust between Burundi and Rwanda, the Rwandan Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente, participated this Thursday 1 July in the celebration of the 59th anniversary of Burundi’s independence, in the economic capital of the country, Bujumbura.
According to several Burundian media, Dr Edouard Ngirente, coordinator of the Rwandan government action, is participating in the festivities organized in the former political capital of this country located in the south of Rwanda.
The Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed this information. This is undoubtedly an important step in the normalization of relations between the two countries. Rwandan President Paul Kagame had repeatedly expressed his wish to see Rwandan-Burundian relations restored.
Since 2015, no high-level visit between the two countries had been envisaged. Burundi accused Rwanda of having granted political asylum to the 2015 coup plotters, and the country of a thousand hills blamed its neighbour for facilitating the task of armed groups seeking to destabilize it.
Regarding the grievances raised by the CNDD-FDD regime, Rwanda gave its assurance that no attack against Burundi will be organized from its territory.
In August 2020, the heads of military intelligence of the two countries, Colonel Ernest Musaba and Brigadier General Vincent Nyakarundi had met to discuss security issues between their respective countries.
Two months later, the foreign ministers, Albert Shingiro (Burundi) and Dr Vincent Biruta (Rwanda), met at the common border of Nemba-Gasenyi. They discussed security issues. Contacts continued at several levels.
Burundi had decided to close its borders with Rwanda on 15 March 2020. On 25 June 2021, presidential spokesman indicated that the issue of borders between the two countries would be resolved soon. “The borders between Burundi and Rwanda were closed due to security problems and relations that had deteriorated,” he said. “We hope they will be reopened soon,” he said.
Four days later, on 29 June, Southern Province Governor Alice Kayitesi, together with Nyaruguru Mayor Janvier Gashema and representatives of the security authorities visited the border on the Akanyaru. The prevention of covid-19 and the state of the infrastructure were discussed. Preparations for the reopening of the border, no doubt.
Gérard Rugambwa
