East African Nations to Really feel the Pinch as Rwanda-Burundi Border Wrangle Escalates

Burundi’s resolution to shut its border with Rwanda is already creating ripple results throughout the East African Group (EAC), with neighbouring nations together with Kenya and Uganda set to be affected. 

The Burundian authorities closed the border on Thursday, January 11, citing threats posed by rebels – the RED-Tabara group – on the nation and additional accused Rwanda of funding the militia. 

The RED-Tabara insurgent group from Congo which has been inflicting unrest in Burundi staged an assault in December 2023, killing twenty folks. 

Rwanda led by President Paul Kagame, nonetheless, refuted the claims. It additional sounded a warning, asking EAC nations to brace for losses as commerce and motion of individuals and items shall be restricted.

“This unlucky resolution will limit the free circulation of individuals and items between the 2 nations and violate the rules of regional cooperation and the combination of the East Africa Group,” Rwanda famous. 

“We additionally remorse the unilateral closure of the border by Burundi,” Rwanda added. 

Earlier, Burundi’s Inside Minister Martin Niteretse acknowledged that anybody who tries to undergo the borders is not going to be granted entry.  

In his presser with reporters on Thursday, Niteretse added “After having famous that we had a nasty neighbour, (Rwandan President) Paul Kagame… we stopped all relations with him till he returns to higher emotions.” 

Kenya is about to endure a blow because it depends on Rwanda and Burundi’s border to entry the Burundian market.

Based on a route tracker from the Logistics Cluster, an knowledgeable in humanitarian logistics, Kenya accesses Burundi by the northern hall that connects Bujumbura to Mombasa through the cities of Nairobi in Kenya, Kampala in Uganda and Kigali in Rwanda a distance of about 2040 kilometres.

Burundi, which is landlocked depends on the Mombasa and Dar es Salaam ports for its worldwide commerce, the place most items are delivered to the nation by highway. 

As well as, Kenya’s exports to Burundi exceed Ksh10 billion per yr with the main exports being espresso, metal and iron. 

Kenya has but to reply to the border closure. Nevertheless, the matter might floor in a deliberate assembly between President William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni who’re set to carry talks on the oil importation row between the 2 nations.