Just over one year after land borders finally reopened between Burundi and Rwanda in October 2022 after a seven-year border closure, diplomatic relations between the two East African countries are once again deteriorating.

In May 2015, Burundi‘s late president, Pierre Nkurunziza (2005–2020), was targeted in a coup attempt led by General Godefroid Niyombare. The general criticized Nkurunziza's pursuit of a third term in office, deeming it unconstitutional. Although the coup was unsuccessful, Burundi leveled accusations against Rwanda, claiming it supported Niyombare's efforts — a charge that Kigali vehemently denied. This incident triggered a crisis between the two nations, culminating in the closure of their 360-kilometer shared border.

Seven years on, Burundi reopened its border with Rwanda, which has been led by President Paul Kagame since 2000. This rapprochement was facilitated by the election of Evariste Ndayishimiye as Burundi's president in 2020, marking a significant shift in bilateral relations between the two states.

Relations notably improved. On July 1, 2021, Rwandan Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente attended the 59th independence anniversary celebrations in Bujumbura, marking a significant step towards reconciliation. Furthermore, on February 4, 2023, President Kagame participated in the East African Community Summit held in Burundi, showcasing a further thaw in relations.

Borders close again

However, the honeymoon period between the two countries only lasted a year. On January 11, 2024, Burundi once again indefinitely sealed its border with Rwanda.

Burundian officials have accused Rwanda of backing RED-Tabara, the rebel group known as the Resistance for Rule of Law in Burundi, in an assault near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on December 22, 2023. The attack, resulting in twenty fatalities, including women and children, drew widespread condemnation from the African Union.

This armed group emerged from the unrest following the 2015 electoral crisis, as segments of the populace expressed their opposition to Nkurunziza's reign.

In an interview in the French newspaper Le Monde regarding the reasons behind the recent closure of the borders, Martin Niteretse, the Burundian Home Secretary, remarked:

For its part, Kigali also accuses Burundi of supporting Rwandan rebels operating on its territory.

Several observers have suggested that the friction between the countries stems from their involvement in an external dispute in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where M23 rebels clashed with the country's Armed Forces (FARDC). Notably, on March 5, 2023, Burundi stepped into the fray in the DRC, aiming to combat the M23 insurgents, who, according to United Nations reports, receive backing from Rwanda.

The impact on the region

While Burundi's closure of its border with Rwanda might appear as a diplomatic gesture, it carries broader consequences. Rwandan nationals who were living in Burundi have been deported back to their home country. Burundian officials, however, have declined to disclose the total count of those expelled.

In response, the Kigali administration is cautioning its citizens against traveling to Burundi while simultaneously offering assurances to Burundian residents in Rwanda regarding their safety. According to an SOS Media Burundi report, Alain Mukularinda, the deputy spokesperson for the Rwandan government, was quoted as saying:

Beyond these decisions and official declarations, the economic operations of traders in both countries face significant disruptions. Speaking to Jimbere, a magazine in Burundi, one merchant reflected on the situation:

For over a year, we had been very happy trade with Rwanda had started again, only for the difficulties to resurface suddenly. (…) Now, unfortunately, selling even half of my stock has become impossible. In economic terms, this closure will have a negative impact on cross-border trade and the transport sector.

Rwandan merchants who requested the border #Ruhwa to get their fruit and vegetable supplies at #Rugombo’s market in @CibitokeProv, now find their hands are…onomic sectors, though Burundi has more to lose — particularly its informal workers and the cross-border small traders.

André Nikwigize, an economist hailing from Burundi and former principal economic adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General, as well as the founder of the NGO Partners for Peace and Prosperity, views the border closure as a politically motivated decision with potentially devastating economic repercussions. He wrote on X: 

#burundi. The closure of the border with Rwanda has considerable economic consequences. Between 2018 and 2020, Burundi lost USD 5.1 millons on its exchanges with Rwanda. Have Burundian authorities assessed the economic impact of this new blockade?

He questions whether there might be alternative, less categorical ways to solve the political issues at the heart of the conflict between the two countries.

Moreover, many Burundians regularly cross the border into Rwanda for health care treatments.

Paradoxically, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) finds itself significantly affected by the escalating crisis between Burundi and Rwanda. Given the challenges associated with land travel directly between the DRC and Rwanda, Congolese traders and travelers are now compelled to take a detour through Rwanda before reaching their intended destinations. However, the current situation impedes such movements, as this video from Voice of America shows: 

The recurrent diplomatic and security crises are exacting a heavy toll on the peaceful coexistence of the 27 million inhabitants in the region. Particularly affected are those individuals whose livelihoods are predominantly reliant on cross-border trade. Written by Jean Sovon  & Jean-Pierre Afadhali. Translated byJean-Christophe Brunet, Global Voices

More than 150 Rwandans have sued their government for arrest and detention last January over alleged card fraud and money laundering involving $8,186,597.

In the suit filed before the East African Court of Justice, the former I&M Bank card holders accuse Rwanda of violating their rights by detaining them for months without trial.

They want the regional court to issue a declaration that the decision of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau to arrest and detain them without trial violates the Constitution of Rwanda, the laws of Rwanda and Articles 6(d) and 7(2) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

Further, the petitioners say it contravened the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and settled principles of universal standards of Human rights and practice in the EAC, the African Union and international law.

“A declaration that the acts by the respondent either by itself, their agents, servants and or personal representatives to illegally arrest, detain and torture friends and family members of the applicants contravenes Article 6(d) and 7(2) of the Treaty,” Mr Ssemakula Ali Abaas said in an affidavit filed in court.

Mr Abaas has filed the case alongside Ms Nyinawumuntu Leatitia on behalf of 157 people who were allegedly arrested and detained over the fraud claims.

The group claims they entered into a relationship with I&M Bank Rwanda and were issued with Mastercard multi-currency cards, which could hold up to 17 different currencies.

The petitioners say one of the benefits as advertised on the bank’s website was that a cardholder could switch from one currency to another within the card’s sub-wallets.

Court papers state that a comparison between the rates offered by the bank and those on the MasterCard platform revealed that the latter offered favourable rates.

The petitioners say they shifted currencies within the card’s sub-wallets such from AED to euro and back to the United Arab Emirates Dirham, resulting in a 10 percent profit.

Ms Abaas said the activity essentially leveraged price differences across markets, a practice known as arbitrage.

However, on January 2023, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau arrested over 100 individuals on allegations of bank fraud, money laundering and illicit enrichment.

Ms Abaas said he was detained for two months as the investigators allegedly confiscated his travel documents and cash worth $6,800.

He said he lost his job, where he was earning a monthly pay of $1,500 and that his next of kin including his wife and children were not informed of the reasons for his arrest.

“That there were other people who were arrested and the same injustices and human rights violations were done to them. I was personally tortured physically and mentally,” he says in the affidavit.

Rwanda's defence

Rwanda’s Attorney General has denied the claims and maintained that the accused were subject to investigations of crimes of embezzlement and money laundering.

The Attorney General informed the court that the suspects were charged with economic crimes, cybercrimes and money laundering and that the case is still pending. However, the accused persons were granted provisional release, pending trial but they fled the country after being released.

In defence, the Attorney General says the regional court lacks jurisdiction to determine the matter and that the case is time-barred.

Court documents indicate that the Rwandan government will be arguing for the dismissal of the case as it was filed 11 months after the arrest and detention.

“Therefore, considering that this reference was filed out of the time of two months set by Article 3092) of the EAC Treaty, we pray that the reference be dismissed,” the Rwandan Attorney General said. - SAM KIPLAGAT, The EastAfrican

The Senate is set to resume its sittings today after two months recess with Senators allied to the opposition vowing to protect gains made in devolution in the last 10 years which they are accusing Kenya Kwanza administration of attempting to claw back.

The opposition allied Senators cited the Primary Health Care and Housing as some of the devolved functions which the national government has shown interest of taking over yet they are devolved functions saying that if this is allowed it might take over  more functions.

Senators allied to Azimio La Umoja have vowed to take the National Treasury and Commission on Revenue Allocation to task over failure to allocate counties Sh 450 billion shareable revenue with Treasury recommending  they get Sh 391 billion while CRA recommends Sh 398 billion. 

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said Senators are deeply concerned about stalled projects across  counties and that they will be holding respective Governors to account since it was unfair to have public funds going to waste in projects that could have been beneficial to citizens if completed.

“The Senate will be having a busy year where as members of the Azimio coalition we are going to play our role in ensuring that we keep the Kenya Kwanza administration in check since so far it has not delivered on the promises made to Kenyans,” said Sifuna. 

The Nairobi Senator said that they Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority(EPRA) will be summoned to appear before the Senate Energy Committee to give an account of all sites where Gas filling sites are situated in the country and on whether safety measures have been adhered to.

Senate Minority Whip Ledama ole Kina said the office of the Auditor General should carry out an annual counties budget audit since it has constantly been focusing on auditing Financial statements and that there was need for it to work closely with the office of Controller of Budget.

Ledama said they will oppose plans to have one uniform system of collecting revenue since there are two tiers of governments so as to avoid unnecessary conflict instead counties should be assisted to make a good collection of their money and make proper use rather than being micromanaged. 

“Counties are now raising levies yet they do not have a basis for doing that, the County Assemblies should operate within the law, there is need to work with the Commission on Revenue Allocation to look at the basis so as to ensure that they adhere to the law,” said Ledama.

The Narok Senator said there are several key areas of accountability in counties where they have found that governors focus on development in one budget which makes the County Integrated Development Plans irrelevant as they use it for the next five year without achieving much. By Edwin Nyarangi, The Standard

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline group in Africa, is pleased to announce the finalization of Gode Ugaas Miraad Airport Terminal building and aircraft parking with taxiway construction Project. The new state of the art airport terminal has been opened for service in a grand inauguration in the presence of H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Prime Minister of Ethiopia and H.E Mustafe Mohammed Omer President of the Somali Regional State.

The project which took three years for completion has unveiled a new terminal building having a total built-up area of 3,500sq, a new apron having a capacity to handle four De  Havilland Q400 or B737 aircraft at a time, ancillary buildings such as airport rescue and firefighting station, water reservoir, and parking areas among others.

Regarding the inauguration of the new passenger terminal, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “We are truly pleased with the launching of Gode Ugaas Miraad Airport Terminal building and aircraft parking with taxiway construction project as it will upgrade the airport experience of our passengers traveling to/from the city of Gode. It is also a step forward in the work we do to elevate our domestic airport facilities to a higher level.

The inauguration of this new terminal showcases our commitment to enhance our domestic operations alongside our international ones. Gode will neither be the only nor the last airport we will work on constructing and/or renovating. Construction of similar airport terminal is progressing well at Jinka, Kombolcha, Goba/Robe and Bahir Dar airports. It is with great honor and pleasure that we work on these projects and play our part in our country’s tourism and socio-economic growth.”

The new state of the art airport terminal is equipped with the latest technology airport facility amenities including a solar system to allow for a smooth and convenient travel via the airport. Ethiopian Airlines plays a significant role in regional connectivity with its more than 22 destinations in the country. Ethiopian Airlines operates daily flights to/from Gode. Gode being the third airport in Somali Regional State next to Jigjiga and Kebridahar, passengers can travel between Jigjiga and Gode directly without having to transit via Addis Ababa.

Gode Airport has been among the airports that Ethiopian has taken a project on to enhance the facilities. Since the acquisition of the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise by Ethiopian Airlines Group as a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) in 2017, Ethiopian Airlines Group has taken over the administrative role including construction and renovation projects of airports in the country. 

Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent’s largest airline brand. In its seventy-seven years of successful operations, Ethiopian, the fastest growing airline, has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. In addition to its main hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it is also pursuing its multi-hub strategy through a hub in Lomé, Togo with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines and in Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia Airways.

Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian’s fleet category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly

aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and Bombardier Dash 8-400 double  cabin with an average fleet age of seven years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate most of these aircraft. Having achieved its strategic plan (Vision 2025) ahead of time, Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2035 that will see it become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world by providing safe, secured, market driven and customer focused Passenger and Cargo Transport and Logistics, Aviation Training, Airport Management and Ground Services, MRO and Aerospace Manufacturing and Travel and Tourism Services.

As a multi-award-winning airline, Ethiopian has been the champion in various coveted awards including Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa Award’ for six consecutive years among others. The airline has been a Star Alliance member since 2011 and has been registering more than threefold growth in the past 10 years.