Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Burundi Times
Published on 2024-02-23 13:48:10
South Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit made a significant visit to Burundi this Friday, landing at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura. The purpose of his visit is to meet with Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye in order to address the increasing tensions between Burundi and Rwanda, as well as the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
This marks the first visit of President Salva Kiir to Burundi since he took over as Chairman of the Heads of State Summit from Burundi last year. The South Sudan president, along with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, has been actively encouraging the East African Community (EAC) led Nairobi Process and the Luanda Process to prevent the escalating security situation in eastern DRC from spilling over into neighboring partner states. A statement from EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki highlighted the importance of these processes and the need to avert any further crises in the region.
Upon his arrival in Bujumbura, President Salva Kiir was warmly received by Burundi’s EAC affairs minister Gervais Abayeho at the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport. He is scheduled to meet with President Ndayishimiye at the State House (Ntare House) before continuing his journey to Kinshasa, where he is set to meet with DRC president Felix Antoine Tshisekedi.
The strained relationship between Burundi and Rwanda escalated last year when Gitega accused Rwanda of supporting, housing, and training the Red Tabara rebel group, which carried out an attack in Gatumba in December 2023, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people. In response, the Burundi government closed its borders with Rwanda in January of this year, restricting travel between the two countries to air transport only.
President Salva Kiir’s visit to Burundi comes at a critical time when diplomatic efforts are being made to ease tensions in the region and address the security challenges in the eastern DRC. By engaging with regional leaders and participating in multilateral processes, President Kiir is playing a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in East Africa. His discussions with President Ndayishimiye and President Tshisekedi are expected to focus on finding sustainable solutions to the ongoing crises and fostering cooperation among neighboring states.
Overall, President Kiir’s visit underscores the importance of regional collaboration and dialogue in addressing complex security issues and promoting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region of Africa. It serves as a testament to the commitment of East African leaders to work together towards a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
Read the original article on Burundi Times
