Burundi and Rwanda border is accessible to travelers according to the local officials at the border, despite having no any official declaration from Gitega several sources confirmed that the border between the two countries recommenced activities.
“Both countries are open in prioritizing their relations. The two countries delegated their special envoys as a sign of interest and willingness to mend their bilateral relations,” said Ines Sonia Niyubahwe, spokesperson of foreign affairs ministry.
Since last week there have been conflicting information about the reopening of the borders between the two countries, Burundi closed its borders with Rwanda and banning the export of mainly fruits and vegetables to Kigali for almost six years now.
The country’s decision to close the borders came amid deteriorating relation between the two countries since 2015, Burundi accused Rwanda of sheltering the 2015 coup plotters while Kigali accused Gitega of sheltering the FDLR rebels.
Burundi banned any cross border trade with Rwanda since then, with no passengers crossing the border with the exception of those with special authorization.
Last Friday during a public program where spokespersons of the Burundi institutions responds to questions of journalists and citizens, Alain Diomède Nzeyimana the spokesperson of Burundi President said that various issues needs to be sorted for the reopening of the frontiers with Rwanda.
“Burundi has requested the Rwandan Government to handover the coup plotters to Burundian Justice. There is no other means to sort this out at a 100% if they do not hand over the above alleged perpetrators.”
“There are ongoing misinformation about the opening of the borders. I want the citizens to get the clear picture,” said President Evariste Ndayishimiye’s spokesperson.
In November 24, 2020 hearing with the UN special envoy in the great region , president Evariste Ndayishimiye said that “the only dispute that is between Burundi and Rwanda lies in the fact that Rwanda is home to these alleged coup plotters which is a serious concern.”
Huang Xia Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Great Lakes Region said that Rwanda has a strong will to hand over the alleged Burundian coup plotters to the Burundian authorities through a mechanism or a mediator country.