Rwandan President Paul Kagame will not attend COMESA Summit in Burundi

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda will reportedly not attend the upcoming 23rd COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) Summit, set to take place on October 31, 2024, in Burundi. This was clarified despite banners and social media posts in Burundi that initially welcomed him as a key participant in the event.

Images on social media and public roads in Burundi showed banners welcoming President Kagame to the summit, which sparked speculation about his attendance.

However, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, explained that while these gestures were symbols of respect from the Burundian side, they did not confirm Kagame’s attendance.

He mentioned that President Kagame could either choose to attend or send a representative.

"Rwanda may be represented by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi," said Amb. Nduhungirehe, noting that even representation by another official would be an important step for Rwanda’s involvement in COMESA.

The summit will bring together leaders from the 21 COMESA member states to discuss economic collaboration and strategies to enhance the region’s economic opportunities.

While Rwanda and Burundi’s relationship has experienced tension, Amb. Nduhungirehe remarked that Rwandan participation, even at the ministerial level, would contribute positively.

Rwanda-Burundi relations have faced challenges for some time. In January 2024, Burundi decided to close its borders with Rwanda, adding a strain to diplomatic ties.

This decision followed past accusations by Burundi that Rwanda had supported attacks within Burundi by the rebel group RED Tabara—a claim Rwanda has denied.

The last visit of President Kagame to Burundi was on February 4, 2023, during an East African Community (EAC) meeting focused on security issues in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This attendance was considered a significant diplomatic move amid ongoing regional tensions.