The borders are used by Rwandans crossing to DRC for business reasons town and Congolese vice versa.
On 1st June 2021, Congolese turned up in crowds for protests at the two borders with violent reactions voicing concerns that Rwanda is supporting M23 rebel group in clashes with Congolese Army (FARDC) which is collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
FDLR is a rebel outfit comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Congolese involved in protests have been heard yelling, speaking ill of Rwanda and insisting that they want to fight Rwanda.
It is said that the protests began from Nyawera area heading to the office of the Governor of Bukavu while others mounted protests at the borders between Rwanda and DRC and Muramba area.
Those seen protesting include motorcyclists, drivers and pedestrians who angrily yelled that they want to cross the border to fight Rwanda.
Demonstrators also requested DRC to close all borders and halt relations with Rwanda.
The Executive Secretary of Mururu Sector, Joyeux Ingabire has said that the demonstrations did not impede movements for people crossing from both sides.
“It is true that they have staged protests but it happened on the side of Congo. They did not come to Rwanda and have not yet confirmed any case of violence against Rwandans,” she said.
Following the protests; the Mayor of Rusizi District, Dr. Anaclet Kibirigi has told IGIHE that Rwandans are advised to think twice and confirm whether the situation is normal before crossing to DRC.
IGIHE has learnt a security meeting has been summoned in Rusizi District to discuss possible consequences of the protests to Rwandans.
During the fight with M23 in eastern DRC, the latter in collaboration with FDLR shelled projectiles on Rwandan territory which injured people and left houses destroyed.
The was the second shelling on Rwanda since March 2022.
Rwanda has at different times explained that DRC’s allegations are baseless and insisted that the crisis is an internal matter of DRC which has to be solved without dragging it into the issue.
FDLR is a rebel outfit comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The concerns were expressed by Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Claver Gatete as the UN Security Council reviewed the current security situation in eastern DRC.
“Rwanda has serious concerns over the collaboration between FARDC and FDLR. This Security Council needs to be reminded that FDLR has posed serious threat to people in eastern DRC and regional security for almost 30 years,” he said.
Amb. Gatete also reminisced on recent provocations by DRC to Rwanda and expressed concerns that efforts to improve bilateral relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo are being undermined.
On 23rd May 2022, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo fired shells across the Rwandan border. It was the second shelling on Rwandan territory this year which resulted in several serious injuries.
DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group but Rwanda refuted the allegations which it termed as ‘baseless’.
Apart from shelling rockets in Rwanda, it was also reported that FARDC in collaboration with FARDC kidnapped two Rwandan soldiers on patrol on Saturday last week.
Rwanda explained at different times that it had legitimacy to respond to the provocations but did not respond lest the tension escalates.
Amb. Gatete has indicated that the resumption of hostilities between M23 and those forces were concerning adding that M23 members should not be labelled as Rwandans because they are Congolese nationals whose grievances should be resolved in that State.
He also warned of the resurgence of anti-Rwanda hate speech and calls for genocide, encouraged by some officials and politicians in DRC.
“There should never be silence on this issue by this Council and the international community in view of what happened in Rwanda in 1994,” Amb. Gatete stressed.
Citing three decades of dangerous cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, he urged the United Nations through MONUSCO not to stand by and watch it continue.
Amb. Gatete also categorically rejected allegations by the Democratic Republic of the Congo that Rwanda supports the M23, underscoring that Rwanda ‘has absolutely no interest in destabilizing Kinshasa’.
“Such allegations are a pretext by spoilers within that country to externalize conflict for domestic political gains,” he said.
The development follows recent Migration and Economic Development Partnership signed between Rwanda and UK on Thursday 14th April 2022.
The partnership will see Rwanda accommodating asylum seekers staying in UK illegally.
Under this program, the UK will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
As he addressed members of the press on Tuesday 31st May 2022; Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta has confirmed that the first batch will arrive in June.
“We are expecting the first group of migrants from the UK to arrive in June. We are still working on it and we are ready to receive them,” he said.
IGIHE has learnt that three buildings meeting requirements in Kigali City have been designated to host them.
These include Hope House located in Kinyinya Sector. The latter is managed by AERG (Association des Etudiants et Eleves Rescapés du Genocide), a body that brings together genocide survivors studying in university and secondary schools. The building previously accommodated Genocide orphans without shelters.
It has been prepared enough to accommodate the asylum seekers. The facility is expected to shelter 100 people who will be served food thrice a day.
Refugees and asylum seekers will enjoy their rights to move freely and return to the building anytime they want.
New facilities including a football playground, Volleyball and Basketball courts for asylum seekers are being developed at the premises.
The five-storey building constructed between 2010 and 2014 has all necessary equipment including beds.
Hope House also has a large room that can serve as a refectory and multipurpose hall where asylum seekers will turn up for social interactions.
‘Desire Resort Hotel’ located in Kagugu of Gasabo District is another facility set to accommodate asylum seekers. It has 72 rooms and different recreational facilities including a swimming pool.
More refugees and asylum seekers will be hosted at ’Hallmark residences’, a facility comprised of 30 units with 102 rooms.
Those to be hosted at the facility will also be fed and helped to participate in different recreational activities.
The warning is issued at a time when a large number of Congolese including politicians, ordinary citizens and security officials continue to incite hatred and making sensitizations to take machetes and attack Rwanda.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday 31st May 2022; Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta said that there are speeches aired on radios, social media platforms inciting hatred against Rwandans, that Congolese have to invade Rwanda.
In consideration of such speeches, he asked Rwandans crossing to DRC to be cautious because such declarations might spark violence.
“It is not reasonable to learn about the declarations and travel to Congo because the government did not issue a warning. The situation has changed,” Minister Biruta said.
“It is apparent. However, local leaders have talked to residents in border area, updated them on the situation and how they should behave regarding their security in case they want to cross to other side. They cannot be assured that their security is guaranteed,” he added.
The warning mainly concerns residents in border areas crossing to DRC for different reasons.
Kidnapped soldiers of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) include Cpl Nkundabagenzi Elysée and Pte Ntwari Gad.
A statement released by RDF on Saturday last week, indicated that the soldiers were kidnapped on patrol following DRC’s provocations where it shelled Rwandan territory.
Sources reveal that President João Lourenço has requested Tshisekedi to release these soldiers as a symbol of willingness to settle dispute between both countries.
It is said that DRC has responded in favour of the request.
Following the kidnapping, FARDC announced that they had crossed into DRC and apprehended in 20 kilometers away from the border but Rwanda rejected the allegations highlighting that they were kidnapped on patrol.
It is said that Rwandan soldiers refrained from fighting lest the tension between both countries result into a war.
Minister Biruta made the revelation on Tuesday 31st May 2022 during a press conference on the current situation of deteriorating relations with DRC.
The press conference has been held amidst ongoing tension between Rwanda and DRC, where the latter accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel outfit in clashes with Congolese Army (FARDC). Rwanda has however been maintaining that the allegations ‘are baseless’ and accused DRC of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Minister Biruta has said that Congolese Army first shelled Rwandan territory on 19th March 2022. At the time, the projectiles did not injure anyone.
“However, the recent incident on 23rd May 2022 saw several projectiles shelled on Rwandan territory in Burera and Musanze, destroying houses and injuring people,” he noted.
Minister Biruta said that he called his counterpart of DRC inquiring into what happened, but did neither apologize to Rwanda nor reassure that it won’t happen again.
Apart from shelling on Rwandan territory, DRC in collaboration with FDLR was recently reported to have kidnaped two Rwandan soldiers on patrol.
FDLR is rebel outfit comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi who at different times plotted hit-and-run attacks to Rwanda and repelled back.
Minister Biruta has talked about Rwanda’s possible reaction in case DRC’s provocations linger. He also disclosed that Rwanda won’t fold arms if DRC doesn’t stop its provocations.
“We have responsibilities to protect our citizens and country’s borderlines. A country defends itself against attacks. This means, if the issue persists, we cannot idly sit by and wait for repetitive shelling on our citizens every day or provocations to kidnap people anytime. It is among issues pointed out at the African Union Summit in Malabo. I clearly indicated that we have legitimacy to respond and defend ourselves, in case we are attacked,” he noted.
“We want such provocations to stop. We want these soldiers released. However, in case these attacks continue to threaten our country’s security, we would be legitimate to defend ourselves and you know that we have capacity,” Minister Biruta added.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Alain Mukuralinda has said that clashes with M23 rebel group is DRC’s internal matter that might continue to affect the country if no solution is reached.
DRC announced the suspension of RwandAir flights on Saturday 28th May 2022 after accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in clashes with Congolese Army (FARDC).
Following the decision, RwandAir announced the suspension of flights to DRC and apologized to customers for any inconvenience it might cause.
Speaking to RBA, Dennis Karera, the Vice Chairman East African Business Council (EABC) said that the decision of barring RwandAir flights to DRC disrupts trade and free movement within the region.
“RwandAir mostly carry traders from Congo and other EAC or other countries like China and Dubai. Suspending its flights does not only affect Congolese but also blocks EAC traders seeking to travel to Kinshasa, Goma and Lubumbashi or other towns,” he said.
Karera has observed that the decision was inappropriate and taken in haste.
“It is not reasonable to suspend flights for any problem. We were in Goma and Bukavu last week to discuss with our counterparts and encourage them to join the council. We can only achieve it when traders are moving freely,” he noted.
“As far as we are concerned, the decision was reached hastily. We call upon DRC leadership not to rush for such decisions tampering with trade,” added Karera.
It has been two months since DRC was admitted into EAC.
Last week, FARDC in collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) shelled rockets on Rwanda’s territory which injured residents and destroyed houses in Musanze and Burera districts in Northern Province.
The shelling occurred when FARDC was accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group in eastern DRC.
Following the incident on Monday, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) requested the regional Extended Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) to launch probe into the incident.
In the same week on Saturday 28th May 2022, RDF announced that Congolese Army with FDLR kidnapped two Rwandan soldiers on patrol.
Rwanda maintains that DRC’s allegations are baseless and called the clash with M23, ’an internal issue’.
[{{Related story: RwandAir flights to DRC suspended amidst escalating tension between both countries}}->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwandair-flights-to-drc-suspended-amidst-escalating-tension-between-both]
DRC announced the suspension of RwandAir flights on Saturday 28th May 2022. The latter has been conducting flights to Lubumbashi, Goma and Kinshasa.
Apart from the suspension, the country also summoned Rwanda’s ambassador, Vincent Karega to receive detailed explanations on the allegations.
The Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson of the Democratic Republic of Congo Patrick Muyaya has announced that his country’s measures are meant to defend territorial integrity.
“The problems won’t deviate us from our choice of looking to the future […] the choice of peace for our country,” he said.
“We cannot close all doors for discussions but those seeking negotiations should come to us with sincerity,” added Muyaya.
Since the crisis broke out, Rwanda maintained that it does neither have troops on DRC’s land nor support M23.
Rwanda has also said that the issue of M23 and DRC is an internal matter of the country which has to be solved without dragging Rwanda into the problem.
President Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi of DRC yesterday held talks with their counterpart of Senegal, Macky Sall who also serves as the Chairperson of the African Union.
Maky Sall has revealed via Twitter handle that the discussions revolved around tension between Rwanda, DRC. He thanked Kagame and Tshisekedi after having a phone conversation with them to seek a solution to the problem.
Macky Sall has also requested the Angolan President, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to follow up efforts to mediate the crisis between Rwanda and DRC.
Lourenço also serves as the chairperson of the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
[{{Related story: Fighting is not our option : Rwanda reassures citizens on relations with DRC}}->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/fighting-is-not-our-option-rwanda-reassures-citizens-on-relations-with-drc]
The country has a developed tourism sector with national parks covering 38% of its land area.
The latest population census in the country indicate that it has slightly more than 2 million sparsely populated people as 70% of the country is covered by Kalahari desert.
About 11.6 percent of the population lives in the capital and largest city, Gaborone wile the majority of its population is concentrated in in eastern part of the country.
The country was a colony of the British and held the name of Bechuanaland under the colonial rule. The name changed to Botswana in 1966 after obtaining Independence.
Botswana is also renowned for its strong democratic tradition. After gaining independence in 1966, the country has experienced more than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership and a consistent record of democratic elections.
Botswana was among African countries hit by poverty following its Independence in 1966 but rapidly transformed into an upper middle-income country, enabled by significant mineral wealth, good governance, prudent economic management, and a relatively small population.
It is among 12 African countries that achieved upper-middle income status including Gabon, Namibia, Ghana, Cape Verde, and South Africa.
The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amounts to US$18.3 billion with a per capita income of US$7 831.
Among others, the country’s currency (Botswana Pula- BWP) is among strongest ones in Africa where US$100 is exchanged for approximately 1210BWP.
Figures from the World Bank show that the livelihoods of Botswana’s population continue to improve overtime.
From 2002 to 2006, the number of people living on a daily per capita income below US$1.90 per day dropped from 29.8% to 16.1%.
Economic analysts show that the country owes its fast development to advanced agriculture, tourism and reducing inequalities among the poor and rich.
Other reasons include the presence of minerals including Diamond and Gold.
In 2020, Botswana’s exports hit US$4.58 billion becoming the 114th country with large scale exports.
These include Diamonds worth US$4 billion, Gold worth US$87.2 million among others, majority of which was exported to Belgium, USA, the United Arab Emirates, India, South Africa and Singapore.
{{Opportunities for Rwandan investors}}
During COVID-19 pandemic, Botswana faced economic shortfalls as the mining sector was not fully operational due to related restrictions yet the country’s economy heavily relies on minerals.
This pushed the country to expend much effort in other sectors of the economy to keep national development on track where agriculture and tourism were given priority.
To ensure the efforts yield good results, investors from Botswana toured different countries to explore avenues for collaboration with their counterparts.
In April 2022, the delegation from Botswana led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lemogang Kwape and Keletsositse Olebire, the CEO at the Botswana Investment and Trade Center (BITC) visited Rwanda for the same cause.
At the time, Botswana business delegation had an opportunity to engage one on one with their Rwandan counterparts as well as undertake site visits to explore areas of collaboration.
Lemogang Kwape said that Rwandans have investment opportunities in his country.
He explained that Rwanda has developed its agriculture sector where Botswana can learn from Rwanda’s practices to reduce related imports.
“We are exploring how to collaborate with our counterparts so that we can exchange expertize to reduce agricultural imports and increase exports,” he said.
Lemogang added that tourism is among potential areas of collaboration.
He said that Rwanda and Botswana have developed tourism sector and stressed the need to create synergies to lure tourists from outside Africa to attractions fin respective countries.
The visit was concluded with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Rwanda and Botswana in the areas of economy and investment.
Both countries also signed framework for cooperation agreements in the areas of mining among others.
The signed agreements open doors for Rwandans to explore investment opportunities available in the country.
Botswana has introduced different incentive programs to lure international investors where manufacturers, financial institutions and tech companies are taxed 15% on profits from approved operations.
Meanwhile, businesses in other sectors are charged 22% while the Value-added tax (VAT) is 12%.
Depending on negotiations, an international investor may be exempted from taxes between five and ten years while those with investments transforming communities’ livelihoods are not taxed on imports of raw materials. The same applies to the import of machinery to be used in these factories.
Investors also benefit from the country’s agreements for elimination of double taxation with South Africa, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Mauritius, India and Russia.
For Rwandans, it is an opportunity to export goods to countries of Southern African Development Community (SADC) with more than 300 million population.
