DRC-Rwanda: cross-border trade slowly takes up between Goma and Gisenyi after the death of a Congolese soldier

At the Petite Barrière between Goma-Gisenyi on the border between Rwanda and the DRC, a tenuous calm is observed after fighting between the armies of the two countries and the death of a third Congolese soldier at the same place last Friday. Commercial activities are taking up timidly, according to residents. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

After the incident which took place between the Grande Barrière and the Petite Barrière late Friday afternoon, Goma-Gisenyi, (Goma in the DRC and Gisenyi in Rwanda), two neighboring towns, small cross-border traders say they have slowly resumed their activities this Sunday, after a tense situation.

They suggest having no problem despite the incident which cost the life of a Congolese soldier.

“We are here. We are crossing the border with our goods.Our goods are checked as usual.We sell and then we go back,” said Ndagijimana Rukera, one of the Congolese traders whom SOS Médias Burundi met not far from the border this Sunday. .

“Yes, there are concerns because we see several law enforcement officers deployed here at the Petite Barrière. We fear other incidents” he added.

According to a source in Goma, since 8 a.m. this Sunday, several DRC security officers have been deployed at the border with Rwanda.

Small traders are asking authorities of both countries to end this situation.

“We ask the authorities of the two countries to seek a lasting solution to these problems because it is inconceivable to live with a neighbor with whom we do not get along,” say traders who confided in SOS Médias Burundi.

Since the announcement of the death of the third Congolese soldier killed by the Rwandan forces, no communication from the Congolese authorities on this incident.