Rwandan traders to DR Congo decry high cross border related costs

By Jean Claude KUBWIMANA.

Thousands of traders from Rubavu district in Western Province who used to cross to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for commercial purposes decry high expenses they are obliged to pay to cross the borders due to Covid-19 pandemic.

They say that such obstacles made big losses and many of them stopped their businesses due to financial crisis.

Zamda Hassani, one of the traders who cross from Rubavu to DR Congo says that there is a problem of shortage of money in general and high expenses to get permission to enter in DRC.

“We used to present the personal identity card and it was free, now we are obliged to pay Rwf12,000 for laissez-passer, a compulsory Rwf5,000 for Covid-19 rapid test and an additional $40 (RWF40,000) paid to Congolese as ‘prime du séjour’ paid by big traders. Small traders pay Rwf1000 or Rwf2000 and I cross the border every day, when I count 30 days it means I must pay Rwf30,000 or Rwf60,000. These are kinds of losses we hardly survive to trade to DR Congo.” Zamda says.

Marianne Nabayo, another trader says that Rwandans are mistreated when they go to DR Congo with all those kinds of financial expenses and travel documents while Congolese come to Rwanda with their personal identity cards without further requirements.

“Besides, Rwandans face physical harassment including a temporally detention, confiscation of properties and being beaten for those who fail to pay what they call ‘prime du séjour’.” Zamda adds.

They wish that Covid-19 rapid test cost can be reduced to Rwf2000 as they are all vaccinated.

Hassan Mazimpaka, another trader who sells shoes and clothes reiterates same issues, asking the government of Rwanda to intervene.

Joseline Uwamahoro from Gisenyi sector, Manengo cell used to sell fruits to DR Congo and managed to get Rwf3000 or Rwf4000 as a daily return on her investment. She decided to give up this business as she cannot find travel expenses.

“I could find little money to tackle home issues but I cannot go there because I cannot find money to pay laissez passer,” Uwamahoro says.

Ildephonse Kambogo, the mayor of Rubavu district said that the pandemic made a lot of life perspectives to collapse, business and trade inclusive.

“We have another border that makes the fourth used by Congolese people due to Covid-19 prevention measures that introduced new guidelines such as the use of passport and laissez passer to allow people from both countries continue trading. We have a big number of citizens who used to do small trade and gain money and; the majority of them faced serious problems.” Kambogo told The Inspirer.

Interventions by local authority

“What we do is to first talk to concerned authorities in DR Congo, and, diplomatically, both governments have already discussed about the existing issues hindering trade, on Rwanda’s side, we have already prepared the coupons as crossing permissions that will be soon electronic, Congolese are also preparing the coupons.” He adds.

Kambogo said that districts’ mayors will meet to discuss about investment, trade and free movement of people between the two countries and how to solve problems facing citizens.

Regarding the barrier of vaccines, Kambogo said that there are still some citizens who did not get any dose and others who only have one dose.

“We are striving to return the life to normal and we wish that our citizens work in full freedom, we are lucky today that the pandemic is coming down.” Kambogo says, adding that they did not register any case of new infections three days before the press time.

Rubavu district uses three borders namely La Corniche, Poid Lourd also known as Petite barrière and Kabuhanga that are close to DR Congo.

Before the pandemic of Covid-19, only Poid Lourd could have mass movement of people ranging between 50,000 and 55,000 per day.

The movements of people to all three borders now reduced to only 10,000 people per day according to district’s authority.

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