The article entitled “Difficulties for Burundian traders in Uvira: acts of protest intensify” addresses a delicate situation on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi. Indeed, Burundian traders wishing to operate in Uvira are blocked by actors from Congolese Civil Society, as a sign of protest against the harassment suffered by Congolese nationals in Burundi.
According to Martin Mafikiri, Civil Society coordinator in Uvira, these blocking acts are a form of reciprocity in the face of the obstacles encountered by the Congolese at the Gatumba border, in Burundi. However, he deplores the silence of local, provincial and national authorities in the face of this situation.
It is important to emphasize that Burundi and the DRC have ratified a document of exemption and facilitation of raw products within the framework of COMESA, which provides a list of non-taxable products. However, the coordinator of the new Congolese Civil Society in Uvira says that Burundi did not specify which products were excluded from the list and in what quantity.
As a result, many small cross-border traders are victims of acts of vandalism and harassment at the various barriers between Gatumba and Kajaga in Burundi. Traders have even been arrested and imprisoned for trying to smuggle products, such as beans, to Uvira.
Faced with these tensions, the head of post of Burundi, Colonel Bonaventure Nijimbere, intervened by going to the DRC to assess the situation. The DRC’s ambassador to Burundi, Willy Mabika, also went to the border to take part in the discussions.
This delicate situation highlights the commercial issues and the tense relations between the DRC and Burundi. It is essential that the authorities of both countries work together to find peaceful solutions and facilitate cross-border trade, in accordance with the regional and international agreements to which they have adhered.
It remains to be hoped that these acts of protest will find a rapid resolution in order to allow Burundian traders blocked in Uvira to resume their activities and thus promote economic development in the region.