The DR Congo border stations in Rwanda are still open—Mukuralinda

Despite continuous fierce fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group close to the Rwandan border, the government has reiterated that its borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) are still open.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Alain Mukuralinda explained in an interview with The New Times on Sunday, January 26, that despite the current situation in the neighboring country, Rwanda has not implemented any border closures.
“Travel along the borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is normal. Although the border village has been hearing intense gunfire and bombs on the other side for the past two days, Rwanda has not closed its borders. Life goes on as usual; there is no security concern on Rwandan soil, Mukuralinda stated.
The clarification came after Congolese authorities temporarily closed the Petite Barrière border station between the towns of Goma and Rubavu. On Sunday, there was no more movement.
Petite Barrière and all other border posts in Rubavu District remain open. “The Congolese side is causing the disruption,” Mukuralinda emphasized. Congolese citizens are still welcome to enter Rwanda through the Grande Barrière for business or other reasons, he continued. He stated, “We have not yet received any Congolese nationals seeking shelter.”
As of Sunday night, traffic at the Grande Barrière, another important border crossing between Rubavu and Goma, is still moving normally. There were reports of foreigners and Congolese nationals entering Rwanda, some with their families.
A passenger at Grande Barrière named Henry Sadiki attested to Goma’s airport closure and his choice to take a different route via Rwanda. On his trip to Kigali, Sadiki remarked, “As you know, the airport is closed, and planes are difficult, therefore I am traveling through Rwanda.”
Despite the impediments to cross-border trade, locals in Rubavu, including Jean de Dieu Ahishakiye, remained composed and voiced faith in Rwanda’s security services.
“Today, very few Rwandans went through Petite Barrière. We have total faith in our security forces, so we are not afraid,” Ahishakiye said, grinning.
The Rubavu-Goma border was one of Africa’s busiest land crossings, with an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 individuals crossing it every day before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cross-border traffic has recently increased, with daily crossings now surpassing 20,000 individuals, despite the pandemic drastically lowering this number.