Catholic bishops in the Great Lakes Region are dismayed by a unilateral decision by the Burundian government to close land borders with Rwanda on January 11 after accusing Kigali of supporting Burundian armed groups.
The Rwandan government dismissed the allegations, saying it had no links with any Burundian group.
"The recent decision to close the land borders between Rwanda and Burundi has deeply shocked us,” according to Bishop Vincent Harolimana of Ruhengeri Diocese, who is the vice-president of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACEAC).
The border closure "caused us concern, considering the lives of the residents of our countries, especially those close to the borders,” Harolimana said on Thursday, January 25, as he led mass at Ruhengeri Cathedral, according to Catholic publication Journal Kinyamateka.
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The diplomatic dip in relations between Rwanda and Burundi followed allegations in December by Ndayishimiye that Rwanda harbours and trains members of RED Tabara, a Burundian armed group based in DR Congo.
The armed group claimed an attack which killed 20 people in western Burundi.
While in DR Congo on January 21, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye called Rwandan youth "prisoners in the region” and urged them to "start putting pressure on their leaders” – comments the Rwandan government said were "inflammatory and un-African.”
Yolande Makolo, the government spokesperson said Ndayishimiye’s comments "aimed at inciting division among Rwandans, and further jeopardizing peace and security in the Great Lakes Region,” adding that "calling on young Rwandans to overthrow their government is troubling.”
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Ndayishimiye joined DR Congo’s Tshisekedi in blaming Rwanda for the insecurity in eastern DR Congo. During his election campaign, Tshisekedi said if re-elected, he would declare war on Rwanda. In December 2022, he said Rwandans "needed” his "support to liberate themselves,” comments that analysts called an attack on Rwandan leaders.
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Bishop Harolimana, who is also the vice-president of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, said Catholic bishops were concerned about the state of security in the region.
"We continue to advocate for those in power to build bridges that connect people instead of creating walls that separate them,” he said.
He said a mass for peace in the region will be held on Sunday in the Congolese city of Goma and will be attended by members of the clergy and Christian believers from Burundi, DR Congo and Rwanda.