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Rwanda-DRC border now open for 24-hour business

Friday March 04 2016
rubavu

Trucks at the Rwanda-DR Congo border in Rubavu. The border will operate for 24 hours. FILE PHOTO | CYRIL NDEGEYA

The Democratic Republic of Congo government announced that the Rwanda- DRC border in Rubavu, has been re-opened for 24 hours business, a move that could boost bilateral trade.

The decision was taken by DRC government "to thank" Congolese people from North Kivu province (borders Rwanda) who supported their national team, Leopards during the recent concluded African Nations Championship in Rwanda (Chan).

Julien Paluku, the governor of North Kivu province was quoted by a Radio Okapi (UN Radio) as saying: “The President of the Republic (DRC) has announced that with the arrival of the African Nations Championship in Rwanda, Goma, that the border is reopening for 24-hour business.”

However some media reports say the move to increase the border’s hours of operation are beyond Chan tournament celebrations, “The government aims to consolidate bilateral relations between Rwanda and DR Congo.”

During Chan 2016 borders were open more hours to allow Congolese fans to cross over to cheer their national team. The decision to reduce Rubavu–Goma border operations to 12 hours per day was taken by Congolese authorities during the war between M23 rebels and government forces in 2013.

Last week, DRC hosted the first Great Lakes private sector investment conference. Delegates discussed opportunities and ways to attract investment in priority sectors such as mining, finance, telecom, agriculture, energy, CT and Tourism.

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Rwanda was represented by the Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi. According to organisers, 25 regional investment opportunities were presented to participants.

The conflict in eastern DRC affected Rwanda’s economy, but according to the central bank the situation is now better.

By the second quarter of 2015, exports especially food and beverages exported to DRC increased by 28.9 per cent in value and by 30.9 per cent in volume.

Governor Paluku was quoted as saying the President Joseph Kabila thought it was now time for both countries to open borders, stop the mistrust in both countries and show the world that two neighbouring countries can work together to boost development in the Great Lakes region.

The rebels seized the eastern Congo town in 2012 and left following intervention and pressure from International Conference of Great Lakes leaders in peace talks.