Burundi recently announced the closure of all its land borders with Rwanda, causing uncertainty over the normalization of relations between the two countries. This decision was motivated by the Minister of the Interior of Burundi, who denounces the behavior of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and claims that Rwanda harbors the enemies of Burundi. However, it seems that this decision is only an indicator of a much more complex situation.
Indeed, the attack on a village near Gatumba, claimed by the Burundian rebels of RED-Tabara, was the trigger for this border closure. The Burundian president, General Evariste Ndayishimiye, openly accuses Rwanda of harboring, financing and arming these rebels described as “terrorists”. But the reality is more nuanced. This incursion was led by Burundian rebels based in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Burundian army has been carrying out military operations for some time.
This escalation of tension between Burundi and Rwanda dates back several months, when Burundi signed a secret military agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to some sources, Burundi has deployed up to four battalions of soldiers in North Kivu to fight the M23, supported by Rwanda. This situation would have angered the Burundian president, who believes he has lost many soldiers in these battles and accuses Rwanda of having reinforced the RED-Tabara rebels with weapons and fighters.
It is therefore clear that this closure of the borders between Burundi and Rwanda cannot be reduced to a simple rebel attack. Relations between the two countries have become more tense since the signing of the military agreement between Burundi and the DRC. Furthermore, this decision by Burundi could be interpreted as a diversionary maneuver on the part of those in power, seeking to forget internal problems such as shortages, soaring prices and the impoverishment of the population.
The opposition and Burundian civil society reacted strongly, denouncing this decision as an attempt to divert attention from the real problems facing the country.
It is obvious that this closure of the land borders between Burundi and Rwanda will have significant consequences on trade and population movements. It remains to be hoped that tensions between the two countries will be eased and that diplomatic solutions can be found to promote the reopening of borders and allow the normalization of relations between Burundi and Rwanda.
Sources:
– https://www.dw.com/fr/le-burundi-ferme-ses-fronti%C3%A8res-terrestres-avec-le-rwanda-voisin-pour-une-dur%C3%A9e-ind%C3 %A9finished%C3%A9e/a-60181149
– https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20211215-burundi-des-fronti%C3%A8res-ferm%C3%A9es-avec-le-rwanda-pour-une-p%C3%A9riode-ind%C3%A9termin%C3%A9e
– https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1348139/politique/burundi-motivations-et-entreprises-de-la-fermeture-de-la-frontiere-avec-le-rwanda/