Relations between Kigali and Gitega are seemingly normalising as evidenced by busy shuttle diplomacy between both sides.
On Sunday, Burundi government sent to Rwanda a high level delegation including; Ezéchiel Nibigira Minister of East African Community Affairs, Sylvestre Nyandwi the Attorney General, and Maj. Gen. Ildephonse Habarurema the head of the National Intelligence Service (SNR).
President Paul Kagame received the Burundian delegation at Village Urugwiro; “were in Rwanda to deliver a message from President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, who is also the current Chair of East African Community,” Rwandan Presidency said without giving extra details.
This visit comes after tete-a-tete between the Rwandan President and the Burundian Head of State on the sidelines of the 20th extraordinary summit of the EAC held on 4 February in Bujumbura.
It had been more than 10 years since the Rwandan president had set foot on Burundian soil, following the deterioration of relations between the two countries, following the political and security crisis of 2015.
Despite public and behind the curtains engagement between Gitega and Kigali authorities, Burundi is still calling for the extradition of the personalities responsible for the failed coup of May 13, 2015 allegedly exiled in Rwanda.
However, Kigali is still maintains a position that the personalities claimed by Gitega are under the protection of the UNHCR. And this is the point of contention between the two countries, which continue to show signs for the normalization of their relations.
