drc-Rwanda border reopens partially after ebola containment

The Corniche border crossing, a vital link connecting Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Rwandan city of Gisenyi, has begun a phased reopening. This decision follows a period of over a week without any new active cases of the Ebola virus disease being reported in the area, according to various local reports.

Initially, this measure permits passage for specific categories of travelers. These include individuals traveling to Gisenyi for essential banking transactions, humanitarian personnel moving towards Goma or transiting through to Kigali for international flights, and those with urgent, justified reasons, subject to approval by immigration authorities.

The partial resumption of cross-border movement has been met with relief by communities on both sides of the frontier. Previously, stringent health restrictions implemented to curb the disease’s spread had significantly hampered exchanges. The disruption to vital transborder traffic deeply impacted local economies, affecting commercial activities and daily commutes between Goma and Gisenyi.

Health authorities continue to maintain robust epidemiological surveillance, contact tracing efforts, and community awareness campaigns. These ongoing measures are critical to preventing any potential resurgence of the disease, which is known for its high mortality rate in Central Africa.

It is important to recall that the temporary closure of border posts between the DRC and Rwanda had been in effect since the morning of Sunday, May 17. For its part, the Rwandan government, through its Ministry of Health, has confirmed it is closely monitoring the epidemic’s evolution in eastern DRC and states that no Ebola cases have been recorded within its territory to date.