Fatshimetrie is witnessing a situation of high commercial tension between the cities of Goma and Gisenyi in Rwanda. Indeed, the goods of more than 10,000 small Congolese traders, grouped in 47 associations, are blocked in Rwanda. This situation results from the decision of the mayor of Rubavu (Gisenyi) to prohibit the crossing of products at the small barrier of Birere by trucks, thus favoring the tricycle motorcycles of Rwandan merchants for the crossing to Goma. This measure, considered discriminatory by Congolese merchants, has immediate repercussions on trade between the two cities.
Since this decision, the usual activities at the small barrier have been almost paralyzed. The hundreds of tricycle bicycles providing transport between Gisenyi and Goma are becoming rarer, as are the large trucks transporting foodstuffs from various neighboring countries. Financial losses are mounting for Congolese traders, who estimate they have suffered significant losses, approaching USD 20,000 over the past four days. They deplore the lack of fairness in cross-border trade and call for the intervention of the authorities of both cities to find a solution to this situation that is detrimental to their business.
The Platform of Associations of Small Cross-Border Traders stresses that the measure taken by the Mayor of Rubavu goes against trade standards and unfairly favors Rwandan traders to the detriment of their Congolese counterparts. This situation raises growing tensions between the two parties and risks having a negative impact on the local economy, seriously disrupting bilateral trade.
It is therefore imperative that the authorities of both cities work closely together to resolve this dispute and restore fair trading conditions for all stakeholders. The resolution of this trade conflict is essential to ensure economic stability in the region and preserve trade relations between Goma and Gisenyi. Fatshimetrie will closely monitor the evolution of this situation and will remain attentive to any future developments.