Relations between Burundi and Rwanda, Africa’s so-called, false twins, have been icy for the last five years, chilled by unrest in Burundi over the decision by former President Pierre Nkurunziza to vie for a controversial third term. More recently, the country’s Foreign Affairs minister announced Burundi would seek to restore relations with the countries it had fallen out with in 2015. Rwanda, on the other hand, says Burundi backs the P5 armed group that has been carrying out attacks against Rwanda. And although peacemaking is a marathon rather than a sprint, President Ndayishimiye and President Kagame will have to move quickly to seize the moment. The late Charles Chaplin once said, “Nothing is eternal in this world, not even our problems.”The tensions between Burundi and Rwanda are not eternal.

Source: The Star July 18, 2020 09:00 UTC