The Burundian authorities have handed over three cows stolen from Nyaruguru district in Southern Rwanda by suspected cattle raiders a few weeks ago to the Rwandan authorities, local media reported on Saturday, quoting a senior local administrative official in the region.
The cows were handed over to the Rwanda authorities this week where leaders from Kayanza province (Burundi) and Nyaruguru district (Rwanda) witnessed the process.
The move comes a few weeks after Rwanda and Burundi heads of state in January this year signaled another step towards thawing of the two countries’ seven-year strained relations.
For the first time since officially coming to power, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye sent his Minister in Charge of EAC Affairs, Youth, Culture and Sports, Ezéchiel Nibigira, to Rwanda.
The deliberations were not made public, but Rwanda announced that President Paul Kagame received the delegation and held discussions that focused on strengthening bilateral relations.
Officials from both countries have met at the level of military intelligence, provincial governors, foreign affairs ministers and senate presidents. Rwanda’s Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente participated in July last year in Burundi’s 59th Independence Day Celebration, where Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye pledged to restore ties with his northern neighbour.
Most of the contentious issues between them appear to have been resolved, including the controversial request by Burundi authorities to hand over the coup plotters.
CU/GIK/APA