[RwandaLibre] DigitalJournal.com - 2 hours ago: KT Press Highlights New Visa Restrictions Placed on Rwandans
KT Press Highlights New Visa Restrictions Placed on Rwandans
DigitalJournal.com - 2 hours ago
/PRNewswire/ -- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week
introduced a new Visa policy targeting Rwandans, which regional
officials say affects more than 36,000 travelers from both Countries
who cross the border daily.
The abrupt visa changes include three new categories; $30 per year
will be charged on Rwandan students crossing the border to study in
DRCongo, $50 on small traders every 3 months and
$250 every Month for the working class.
Rwanda reacted with dismay to the changes. Kigali says the visa
charges contravene agreements signed under the Economic Community of
the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) - a regional body that brings
together Rwanda, DRC and Burundi.
It is the second time that the DRC Government has breached the CEPGL
agreement. On April 21
, it started overcharging VISA fees on Rwandans traveling through the
Rusizi-Bukavu border post.
Rwanda says that other than the laissez-passer temporary document
costing Rwf10, 000, its nationals had been required to have a visa
costing $55 (Rwf37, 400) for ordinary persons and $35
(Rwf23, 800) for students.
Rwandans crossing to DRC claim they have also been asked to pay bribes
up to $50 by Congolese border officials.
The Congolese government has defended the policy saying the visas are
necessary to control whoever enters its borders. Senior immigration
officials in DRC say whoever is implementing the visa policy with more
charges such as bribes is doing so as individuals.
The regional body CEPGL has also intervened - warning DRC for
breaching the agreement it has signed. The three neighbors signed the
agreement in July last year after lengthy talks by all Foreign Affairs
Ministers of member Countries. Following which all visa fees were
scrapped.
In a statement issued last Month, the CEPGL Executive Secretary,
Herman Tuyaga said that DRC did not inform the body before introducing
the new visa fees.
CEPGL chief says that the document signed indicates that only
passports, Lesser-Passez and identity cards should be used by Citizens
and DRC's new Visa policy is contrary to its mission of regional
integration.
Rwanda and its larger neighbor have seen a surge in cross-border trade
over the years, toping more than Rwf 25billion, which may be affected.
To read the full article, please visit:
http://rnanews.com/politics/8786-dr-congo-declares-rwandans-unwanted-except-with-expensive-paid-visas
For Media Enquiries, Contact:
Dan Ngabonziza
Senior Reporter, KT Press
http://www.google.ca/gwt/x?gl=CA&hl=en-CA&u=http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2025166&source=s&q=KT+Press+Highlights+New+Visa+Restrictions+Placed+on+Rwandans+DigitalJournal.com
--
SIBOMANA Jean Bosco
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