The Rwandan government has asked the Burundian government to respect international obligations and protect Rwandans who are stranded in Burundi.

The call made on Friday, January 12, followed the Burundian government's unilateral decision earlier on Thursday to close land borders with its northern neighbour over accusations that Rwanda was behind the attack on December 22 claimed by RED Tabara, a Burundian armed group based in eastern DR Congo.

Rwanda denies any links with the Burundian armed group.

On Friday, Burundian nationals and goods trucks were blocked from crossing into Burundi through the Nemba border post in Bugesera District even as the Rwandan side of the border was open.

Rwandan nationals in Burundi who wanted to return home were also not allowed to.

"The Burundian government and leaders are under the obligation to protect Rwandans in their country even though they do not want them there," Deputy Government Spokesperson Alain Mukuralinda told national broadcaster RBA.

"They have made it clear that they don't want them there. So, the next move is to support them to return home, safely, by finding safe routes for them until they arrive in Rwanda," Mukuralinda said.

It is not clear how many Rwandans are stuck in Burundi. At least 44 Rwandans returned to Rwanda from Burundi on Friday through the Ruhwa border post in Rusizi District, according to RBA. Some of them said they were arrested and dispossessed of their money.

Burundians in Rwanda rest easy

Mukuralinda said Burundians who are in Rwanda should rest easy.

"For the Burundians here, they should sleep easy, go to their jobs. Anyone who wants to return to Burundi will not be blocked because the Rwandan border is not closed. We hope they will be allowed in their country.

"Those who want to stay here or come to Rwanda are welcome. No Burundian should be mistreated because of the decision by their government. Rwandans have no problem with the Burundians," he said.

Burundi opened borders in 2020, when the two governments began normalisation of diplomatic relations, which took a hit in 2015 after an attempted coup against then Burundian president, Pierre Nkurunziza.

Incumbent President Evariste Ndayishimiye said members of RED Tabara were behind the 2015 coup attempt, which was followed by tens of thousands of Burundians fleeing to Rwanda.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will attend the Non-Aligned Movement Heads of State Summit from 19 to 20 January 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, as a Special Guest. 

Established in 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement – which shares 44 of its 120 members with the Commonwealth – is a grouping of mostly developing countries working together to advance shared interests. 

During her visit, the Secretary-General will consult with leaders from Commonwealth countries, seeking their perspectives on economic and environmental challenges and collaborating on strategies to deliver more tailored assistance. 

She will also brief leaders on the preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled for October this year in Samoa. 

In a statement ahead of her visit, Secretary-General Scotland thanked President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for the invitation and commended his leadership as the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement. 

Reflecting on the summit's theme of 'deepening cooperation for shared global affluence', she said: 

"Many developing countries have made considerable progress to improve the well-being of their people. But they are now bearing the brunt of a myriad of crises, with the lingering effects of COVID-19, soaring debt, inflation pressures and intensifying climate extremes and disasters. 

"The absence of adequate international support forces them to commit more of their limited resources into protecting their people from these crises, which further compounds their challenges, eroding hard-earned progress on poverty, inequality and development, and is pushing many countries to the edge.

"To tackle these overlapping challenges, we need more cooperation and solidarity than ever before. The voice of the Non-Aligned Movement is essential, and the Commonwealth stands as a trusted partner in achieving our shared vision for a peaceful, just and sustainable future for all." 

 In her engagements, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will draw attention to the urgent reform of the global financial system to meet the needs of developing countries. 

She will share how the Commonwealth's Universal Vulnerability Index can help better target international finance, including overseas aid and debt relief, for countries in need of support. 

The Secretary-General will also discuss the progress made at last year's United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and the Commonwealth's targeted assistance to help member countries translate those commitments into action. 

In particular, Secretary-General Scotland will inform leaders about the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has mobilised US $322 million in climate finance for 17 vulnerable countries, with an additional US $500 million in the pipeline. 

She will also highlight the Commonwealth's coordinated response to ocean challenges through the Commonwealth Blue Charter, land degradation issues through the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter and a just energy transition through the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda. 

While in Kampala, the Secretary-General is expected to meet with government ministers, senior officials, and other public figures to discuss ways to deepen ongoing cooperation.

ANKARA

Two US Navy sailors went missing on Thursday evening while conducting operations off the coast of Somalia, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday.

“On the evening of January 11, two U.S. Navy Sailors were reported missing at sea while conducting operations off the coast of Somalia,” the CENTCOM said.

“Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing to locate the two sailors,” it said, adding: “For operational security purposes, we will not release additional information until the personnel recovery operation is complete.”

“Out of respect for the families affected, we will not release further information on the missing personnel at this time,” the CENTCOM said.

“The sailors were forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F) area of operations supporting a wide variety of missions,” it added. By Merve Berker, Anadolu Agency