Information coming out of Burundi reveals that all government officials have been prohibited from using RwandAir flights when traveling abroad.
The revelation was made by Dr. Frank Habineza, President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, who was informed by one of his close contacts linked to the Burundian government.
He said: “Just the other day, a relative told me, ‘Right now, if you’re a government official in Bujumbura, it is strictly forbidden to board a RwandAir flight, even if you’re just going to Uganda.’”
According to the source, any Burundian official found flying with RwandAir is labeled “an enemy of the state,” despite the fact that RwandAir is still permitted to operate flights to and from Bujumbura International Airport (Melchior Ndadaye International Airport).
Dr. Habineza emphasized that the strained relations between Rwanda and Burundi are causing losses on both sides, and once again called for renewed dialogue so that the closed borders imposed by the Gitega administration may be reopened, allowing bilateral trade to resume.
He added: “Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its partners should continue talks so this negative climate between Rwanda and Burundi comes to an end, and so that our airline can operate freely. We also want to be able to travel to Bujumbura without restrictions, and allow those who want to come to Kigali to do so freely.”
Relations between Rwanda and Burundi deteriorated further in December 2023, when President Ndayishimiye accused Kigali of collaborating with the rebel group RED-Tabara, which seeks to overthrow his government.
He has repeatedly asserted that relations will not normalize unless Rwanda hands over individuals Burundi accuses of being involved in the failed 2015 coup d’état.
Rwanda has consistently denied any involvement with groups aiming to destabilize Burundi.
