Burundian President Maj. Gen Evariste Ndayishimiye has sent his regional minister to deliver a message to his Rwandan counterpart, President Paul Kagame.

Details of the message, which was delivered by Burundi’s Minister in charge of East Africa Community (EAC) Affairs, Youth, Culture and Sports Amb. Ezéchiel Nibigira were not revealed but Presidency said in a tweet that discussions revolved around strengthening bilateral relations.

The Head of State hosted the Burundian delegation at Village Urugwiro, on Monday, January 10.

This is the latest sign in a series of attempts by both countries to mend their fractured diplomatic relations, with officials describing the current atmosphere as ‘progressive’.

Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Burundi deteriorated since 2015.

During that period the two countries traded accusations and counter-accusations of harbouring militia forces intent on destabilizing each other.

More recently, however, there has been increasing optimism to mend the strained relations especially after Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente travelled last year to join the country in their 59th Independence Day celebrations.

In September, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta also met with his Burundian counterpart Amb. Albert Shingiro on the sidelines of the 76th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. 

The two exchanged on matters of bilateral relations between the two countries, and the road to normalisation.