On Friday, June 20, the leaders of the Senates of Rwanda and Burundi held talks regarding the strained relations between the two neighboring countries.
The discussions brought together the President of Burundi’s Senate, Hon. Emmanuel Sinzohagera, who was on an official visit to Rwanda, and his Rwandan counterpart, Dr. François Xavier Kalinda, President of the Senate of Rwanda.
According to a message posted on Burundi Senate’s official X account, the leaders discussed the role of their respective institutions in reinforcing bilateral relations.
The message read:
“Senate President Hon. Sinzohagera Emmanuel this morning met with his Rwandan counterpart, accompanied by both of his Vice Presidents, during an official visit. Their discussions focused on the role of the two Senate bodies in strengthening ties between Burundi and Rwanda.”
The Senate of Rwanda, while commenting on the visit, added that both Senate presidents also discussed inter-parliamentary cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy.
Relations between Rwanda and Burundi began to deteriorate towards the end of 2023, and in early 2024, Burundi decided to close its borders with Rwanda.
This move by Gitega was based on accusations that Kigali supports and provides assistance to RED-Tabara, a rebel group opposed to the Burundian government—claims that the Rwandan government has strongly denied.
Burundi has also accused Rwanda of hosting individuals suspected of being involved in the 2015 attempted coup against former President Pierre Nkurunziza, and has repeatedly stated that normalizing ties is impossible unless those individuals are handed over.
The meeting between the two Senate presidents comes a few months after Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye issued threats of potential war with Rwanda.
He accused Rwanda of planning to invade Burundi through RED-Tabara, similar to its alleged support of M23 in the DRC conflict, where Burundian troops are also engaged.
Although high-level diplomatic talks have been held multiple times between the two nations to ease tensions, no concrete resolution has yet been achieved.
