The appeal followed a meeting of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Rwanda and Burundi (ACOREB), which has been taking place in Bujumbura. The bishops discussed issues affecting the Church and the wider population in both countries.

Kigali Archbishop and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Rwanda, Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, said that despite the difficulties caused by the border closure, the bishops strive to meet twice a year.

“We do this to comfort the Christian communities in both countries, give them hope and show them that, despite the challenges, our brotherhood remains a strong bond. We continue to overcome these obstacles so that we can meet,” he said.

In a statement issued on November 12, 2026, ACOREB said Catholic bishops from Rwanda and Burundi were concerned about the continued closure of the borders and called for their reopening in the interest of citizens of both countries.

“We regret that the land borders connecting Rwanda and Burundi remain closed. We are concerned that this decision continues to affect the populations of both countries. We reiterate our appeal to our respective governments to continue dialogue aimed at improving relations between the two countries and reopening the borders,” the statement reads.

The previous ACOREB meeting was held in Rwanda in March 2026, when the bishops also called for the reopening of the borders.

However, there are no immediate indications that their appeal will be addressed soon, as no recent talks have been held between representatives of the two countries.