Burundi last week closed its border with Rwanda accusing it of ‘funding rebel attacks’.
This happened just weeks after Red Tabara, a Burundian rebel group, killed 20 people near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Even though Rwandan President Paul Kagame denied any involvement in the attack, BBC reported that Burundi’s Interior Minister Martin Niteretse insisted that they cannot trade with a ‘bad neighbor.’
“We have stopped ties with him until he changes,” Niteretse declared.
Reacting to the closure of the border, the Rwandan government on Thursday, January 18, condemned the closure of its border with Burundi.
The Rwandan government termed the move as an ‘unfortunate decision’ saying it restricts the free movement of people and goods not only between the two countries but across the East African block.
“This unfortunate decision will restrict the free movement of people and goods between countries,” it said on X.
“It violates the principles of regional cooperation and integration of the East Africa Community,” it added.
Évariste Ndayishimiye had made scathing accusations against Rwanda of backing RED-Tabara a Burundi rebel group operating in Congo.
Rwandan officials who have since denounced the move as a contravention to the principles of the EAC, say Rwanda has been making efforts to revive bilateral ties with Burundi since 2015.
Burundi previously closed its borders with Rwanda in 2015 during political violence in Burundi. The border reopened in 2022.
