Burundi Shuts Borders with Rwanda

Burundi has closed its borders with the neighboring Rwanda.

The announcement was made days after Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye accused Rwanda of backing Burundian rebels who have recently carried out attacks.

Last December Red Tabara, a Burundian rebel group, killed 20 people near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“We have stopped ties with him (Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame) until he changes” Burundi’s Interior Minister Martin Niteretse, was quoted by the BBC.

Red Tabara operates from DR Congo’s South Kivu province bordering Burundi.

It was not immediately clear whether the border closure included both land and air.

In 2015 Burundi closed its border to Rwanda due to political tensions, however, Seven years later the borders were reopened.

The government in Kigali has denied links to Burundi’s rebels and issued a statement saying Burundi’s closure of Borders contravenes East African Community (EAC) protocols.

“The Government of Rwanda has learned through media reports of the unilateral decision by the Government of Burundi to again close its borders with Rwanda. This unfortunate decision will restrict the free movement of people and goods between the two countries, and violates the principles of regional cooperation and integration of the East African Community,” a communique from Rwanda read.

Ugandans React

Ugandans on X reacted angrily to Rwanda’s statement accusing the country of hypocrisy.

“When Rwanda unilaterally closed its border with Uganda for over 3 years and blocked Ugandan goods from entering Rwanda, was that the spirit of EAC? This hypocrisy stinks!” reacted Charles Bichachi.

Lawyer Edgar Tabaro jokingly chipped in with “Construction works at the border.” With Bichachi replying, “Hehehehe, yes, the border unilaterally closed for construction! Many Ugandan villagers shot and killed! Where was the EAC spirit in this?”

Meanwhile, Moses Baguma said, “Very ironical — if not utterly shameless from Rwanda!”