Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are an important tool for Africa’s development. The rationale is no rocket science; it is based on the basic understanding that we are stronger together and weaker apart. And this approach is already bearing fruit if the recent developments in the East African Community (EAC) are anything to go by. Unfortunately, our neighbour to the west, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), seems to be going in the opposite direction. Kinshasa recently unilaterally and suddenly introduced visa requirements on Rwandans crossing into the Congo through the Rusizi-Bukavu border, a move that contravenes the rules and spirit of the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Region (CEPGL), which both Rwanda and the Congo subscribe to. The decision has already taken a toll on the border communities in the area, disrupting trade and education of Rwandan students who attend school on the other side of the border, and practically blocked border communities from visiting families in the Congo, among others. While the reasons behind this retrogressive action remain unknown with Kinshasa choosing to remain tightlipped on the matter, it is shocking that such a decision could be taken without any prior warning to the partner states or at least official communication to the CEPGL Secretariat. That this is happening at a time efforts were underway for Rwanda, DR Congo and Burundi to strengthen their cooperation through CEPGL is not only unfortunate but also misguided. We commend Rwanda for not moving to reciprocate – even as she is justified under international law to do so – while we remain hopeful that Congolese authorities will review this unnecessary barrier to free movement of people and cross-border trade and choose integration as opposed to isolation.
