A new attempt to sort out Rwanda-Burundi messy relationships
RegionWeek Newsletter Vol III, Issue #111 | Thursday, August 27, 2020
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Dear Readers
This Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at the Nemba border between Rwanda and Burundi located in Nemba Village, Rweru Sector in Bugesera District, Military intelligence officers from Rwanda and Burundi meet to discuss security matters between the two countries. The meeting was attended also by representatives of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM).
BURUNDI IN THE HEADLINES
On the Rwandan side, a team of senior intelligence officers led by Brig. Gen. Vincent Nyakarundi in charge of the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) while Burundi was represented by Col. Ernest Musaba in charge of Military intelligence into the Burundian army.
At the center of the discussions were security issues that are often mentioned on the border between Rwanda and Burundi and other bilateral relations topics in general.
READ ALSO: Burundi-Rwanda shooting Incident On Lake Rweru
Last month, on July 10, 2020, three bodies of men between the ages of 25 and 30 were found on Rwandan soil, just 5 meters from the border with Burundi. This is not the first time the bodies have been found on the border, as in August 2014, about 40 bodies were found floating in the waters of the White Sea between Rwanda and Burundi.
“The victims are not Burundian citizens because the bodies are coming from Akagera River flowing from Rwanda,” — Burundian official, Jean Berchmans Mpabansi, told the BBC at the time.
Burundi has set up an investigation after a number of dead bodies wrapped in plastic were found floating in a lake on its border with Rwanda. No report has since then detailed how they died. The regional authorities say their investigations indicate the victims were not from Burundi.
Burundi accused Rwanda of aiding and planning the failed coup d'état of May 13, 2015, of harboring its opponents and of training them militarily to attack the country.
READ ALSO: Why Burundi and Rwanda won’t normalize relations anytime soon?
For its part, Kigali pointed out that Burundi was collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) accused of having committed genocide against the Tutsis in 1994. These mutual accusations date back to 2015 after the post-election crisis.
Over 500 Burundian refugees are returning home from Rwanda
The first round of Burundian refugees returning from Rwanda begins this Thursday. The UNHCR indicates that the refugees who have registered for voluntary repatriation are estimated at 500. They are all from the Mahama refugee camp.
“They will cross the Gasenyi-Nemba border (Bugesera-Kirundo, in northern Burundi). But on the list, we have a number that slightly exceeds 500 as there may be last-minute withdrawals or those who may be afraid and decide to wait for the next repatriation.
This is why we estimate that the number of 500 which is provisional will be confirmed at the border. We recall that this is voluntary and individual repatriation, ”said the communication officer at UNHCR-Rwanda, Elise Villechallane quoted by local media.
Regarding the return package, its constitution, and the length of time in the transit camp before these Burundians join their families, UNHCR-Rwanda advises that this will be determined by UNHCR-Burundi.
The UNHCR reassures that nothing can prevent a refugee from voluntarily returning to his country of origin. The UN agency refers to the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees.
READ ALSO: Rwanda: Over 300 Burundian refugees ask President Ndayishimiye to initiate talks around their repatriation
Mahama camp is located in eastern Rwanda in Kirehe district. It hosts more than 60,000 Burundian refugees according to UNHCR data.
Thanks for reading
Fabrice Iranzi, RegionWeek.com
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