The Mayor of Goma, Commissaire Superieur Kabeya François Makosa promised to work on current border-based issues for the mutual interest and wellness of the towns of Rubavu and Goma cohesively. He said this on May 8, in Rubavu town during a stop he made there, while he was on his way to Kigali City. The Mayor is in the country for a three-day-meeting that kicks off today. It’s aimed at addressing cross-border challenges among other current issues at the Rwanda-DRC border. While speaking to local media, Mayor Makosa unveiled intentions of improving bilateral ties as a way of enabling citizens to benefit and have improved livelihoods. He [Mayor of Rubavu] recently visited us in Goma. We are going to put more efforts in addressing border-related issues between the two countries and improve bilateral ties including cross border trade, so that the population can profit from it, and the two towns as well as both our countries in general,” he said. Since the border has always been a source of income to thousands of people in both Goma and Gisenyi communities, as most make a living from the informal trade carried out from the area, its closure during the pandemic affected lives of many. Borders that were affected include Petite Barriere in Rubavu District, which links Rwanda to the Democratic Republic Democratic of Congo. Activities at the border are still picking up momentum since its re-opening in March this year. Ildephonse Kambogo, the Mayor of Rubavu told the media that the meeting taking place in Kigali will address present challenges with cross border trade, among other issues. Like my colleague said, the talks will be related to cross border trade and other related issues including ‘Day Pass or Jeton.” Mayor Kambogo further explained that resolutions will be released when the meeting is concluded. Prior to the pandemic, over 50,000 people used to cross the border daily, making it one of the busiest land borders in the world. Despite COVID-19 disrupting business there, there are ongoing recovery measures between the two countries. The border is a source of livelihood for many Rwandans as well as Congolese.
