Burundi is refusing entry into its borders, all people coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo with travel documents issued by the rebel government currently occupying the Eastern parts of DRC.
Bujumbura becomes the first country in the East African Community to reject and totally ban travel documents issued by the coalition of rebels controlling the seceded Eastern DR Congo provinces.
The joint Congo River Alliance (AFC) and March 23 rebels have set up their own authorities and laws in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo cities of Goma and Bukavu, precincts that are critical contributors to Burundi’s economy.
But a statement issued by the Burundian authorities confirms that several Congolese have indeed been refused entry into Burundi for having exit stamps from the Director General of Immigration (DGM) representing the AFC/M23 rebel-coalition.
However, it must be noted that this small country, Burundi, survives largely thanks to the massive influx of Congolese on its territory, which gradually contributes to revitalizing its economy.
Observers feel that denying the Congolese population access to Burundi would further weaken an already precarious economy.
In another development the former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Joseph Kabila failed to appear before the Senate meeting which was to discuss his immunity case.
The DRC government has requested the Senate to lift Kabila’s immunity, accusing the former republican president of rebelling against the nation with alleged involvement with the AFC-M23 rebellion.
A special committee appointed by the Senate had recently summoned Kabila, a Senator for life, to appear before the house to submit his defence against the Kinshasa government’s accusations.
However, Kabila did not bother to show up for the senate summons. The former DR Congo leader also has not sent any response before the authorities who were kept waiting for Joseph until they realized that he was not about to appear.
Kabila has been in forced exile and not appeared in Congolese territory for the past two years although reports emerged last month that he had visited the city of Goma in eastern DR Congo.