{UAH} Covid-19: Rwanda writes to Uganda, Kenya as Burundi defies EAC trade terms

Trucks carrying goods. Image credit: Ktpress.rw.

The government of Rwanda has written to her Ugandan and Kenyan counterparts after Burundi blocked cargo entry via her borders.

Authorities in Burundi have started blocking the entry of cargo, despite the East African Community agreeing that borders should remain open to cargo in order to maintain the supply chain.

In a virtual meeting of EAC ministers held on March 25, in which Burundi was also represented, it was agreed that the states "facilitate free movement of goods and services in the region."

However, only 2-3 members were to be allowed on trucks delivering cargo.

For cargo planes and vessels, the crew would be determined by the specifications of the aircraft or ship and set international guidelines.

The crew has to observe the standard operating procedures rolled out to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Goods to Burundi via the northern corridor (Mombasa-Uganda) have to pass through Rwanda.

But authorities in Burundi prevented trucks from entering Burundi via the Nemba One-Stop Border Post.

According to newtimes.co.rw, the freight trucks bearing Ugandan and Kenyan number plates were denied entry into Burundi.

The government-owned publisher says Rwanda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wrote to Kampala and Nairobi, saying Kigali was sealing off entry to their cargo headed to Bujumbura.

"The Government of the Republic of Burundi is no longer allowing cargo trucks transiting through Rwanda to enter Burundi's territory despite the above-mentioned decision by Ministers of the East African Community," the ministry wrote.

"Since Burundi has effectively closed all its borders to cargo transiting through Rwanda, the Government of Rwanda will no longer allow entry on its territory to cargo trucks destined to Burundi."

Uganda's Ministry of East African Community Affairs could not be reached for comment.

A communications executive at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives said she had not received information about the letter but promised to find out and get back to us.

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