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Challenges for Congolese in South Kivu as Ruhwa crossing shuts down

By Esther Muhozi
On 16 January 2024 at 01:07

Congolese residents in South Kivu province are facing difficulties following the closure of the border between Burundi and Rwanda on January 11, 2024. The decision to shut down the border was communicated by Burundi’s Minister of Internal Security, Martin Niteretse, during a meeting in Kayanza province.

Nearly two weeks earlier, President Evariste Ndayishimiye had accused Rwanda of supporting the Red Tabara armed group, only to later state that no anti-Burundi government factions were collaborating with them.

Traditionally, the Congolese populace utilized the Ruhwa border, connecting Rwanda and Burundi at the Rusizi region, for travel to Uvira and Bukavu, Bujumbura, or vice versa.

The Mapasa company, responsible for transporting passengers between Bujumbura and Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), also relied on the Ruhwa border due to the poor condition of the road from South Kivu to Burundi.

Reports from some newspapers in the DRC suggested that Governor Théo Ngwabidje Kasi of South Kivu is contemplating the renovation of the Bukavu-Ngomo-Uvira road to address the disruption caused by its passage through Rwanda or Burundi.

On January 15, 2024, Governor Kasi, along with investors and contractors, visited the road to assess its condition and determine the necessary steps for the proposed renovation. With the Ruhwa border closed, the only available route for Congolese and Burundians to travel to or from South Kivu is the Kavimvira road, linking Burundi with the DRC.


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