Rwanda and Burundi have agreed to meet in talks to restore relations
It was held in Zanzibar, Tanzania, where the retreat of the leaders of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the countries that are members of the East African Community (EAC) took place.
On January 11, 2024, Burundi closed all its borders with Rwanda, after accusing it of helping the RED Tabara group that is opposed to Gitega, something that Rwanda continues to show is untrue.
This was followed by other issues where on May 10, 2024 there was a grenade attack in this country in the town of Bujumbura. Again, Burundi accused Rwanda of participating in it, however it shows that it is putting it in the list.
Since then, the relationship that had started to blossom has become more intense.
This time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nduhungirehe Olivier said that in October 2024 there will be discussions on both sides aimed at resolving all these issues.
He said, “We agreed that we will meet on October 31, 2024. We will be going through all the issues that exist today, which threaten both countries. I and [Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs], Albert Shingiro, have shown that we are committed to finding a solution to the problems that threaten the people of Rwanda and Burundi, especially because they are brothers.”
On July 7, 2024, on the photo he posted on the X screen, he is with Minister Nduhungirehe and the State Secretary in charge of District Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, who are talking, Minister Shingiro also said something at this point.
Minister Shingiro said that “Diplomatic talks are an important way to help find a solution to the conflict, bad mood and misunderstanding between the two countries.”
The closure of the border between Rwanda and Burundi by this neighboring country in the South, disrupted business not only in the bordering countries, but also in the entire region.
The Director General of the East African Business Council, Jean Bosco Kalisa, said that they are happy with the agreement signed in Zanzibar “because it will boost our business and investment in the region.”
The relationship between Burundi and Rwanda was once again sleepy, after a while thing were back to normal, so much so that even after the failed Coup d’etat of 2015, Burundi accused Rwanda of being involved.
It also closed the border at that time, and will reopen it in 2022, after long-term talks between the two countries.
After President Evariste Ndayishimiye accused Rwanda of supporting the RED Tabara armed group, which attacked in Gatumba zone, Bujumbura province, the borders were closed again.
Despite what Burundi did, there was no announcement about the action, even the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda announced that Rwanda was not informed of this decision.
By:Florence Uwamaliya.
