Cross-border women traders in Rubavu District on Tuesday, July 16, called on whoever becomes their new representatives in parliament to prioritise lowering the cost of travel documents they use while making their regular trips across the Rwanda and DR Congo border. The small-scale cross-border business women made the call after casting their votes for parliament aspirants who will represent them in the lower chamber. This was as other members of electoral colleges around the country participated in elections for parliamentary representatives of special interest groups; women, youth, and persons with disabilities. ALSO READ: Who are the thirteen persons with disabilities parliamentary candidates? Members of the women electoral college in Rubavu District voted at GS St Joseph Muhato Polling site in Byahi Cell, Rubavu Sector, on Tuesday. Speaking to The New Times, they highlighted the challenges of high costs of travel documents, including the CEPGL travel document, which does not last long enough for someone who travels across the border more often. ALSO READ: Women cross-border traders urged to embrace digital payment Console Nyiransabimana, 50, who sells vegetables in the Congolese town of Goma recommended the reintroduction of day passes, commonly known as jetons, as a more affordable and convenient alternative. “There are a lot of queues at the border; they [women MPs] should advocate for small-scale women cross-border traders to use the day pass or jeton for easy crossing and movement. Getting the CEPGL travel document is time-consuming, especially for women traders who frequently cross the border,” she said. She believes that using IDs and day passes would streamline the process, making it easier for them to conduct their business activities between Rubavu and Goma towns easily as it used to be before the Covid-19 pandemic period. “It was swift; other documents need more checking at the border. We used to show IDs and get a jeton, free of charge.” Nyiransabimana said a ‘CEPGL travel document' is not affordable for all small-scale traders who make Rwf1,500 to Rwf2,000 in profit per day. A CEPGL travel document's cost earlier decreased from Rwf10,000 to Rwf1,000 on the Rwanda side, for aiding business recovery. Rwandan nationals now pay Rwf1,000, while foreigners legally residing in Rwanda pay Rwf10,000 or $10, for a document valid for six months, while for foreigners residing in Rwanda it is valid for three months. Use of IDs and day pass documents is more affordable than other travel documents,” added Julienne Mukarugema, 44, a woman with disability who transports goods between Rubavu and Goma towns. According to Déogratias Nzabonimpa, a official in charge of economic development at Rubavu District, a CEPGL document is very helpful to small traders since it acts as a day pass or jeton. District figures show that the movement of people between Rwanda and DR Congo through Petite Barrière and Grande Barrière, the two main border posts between Rubavu and Goma, increased to approximately 20,000 people per day in 2023 up from 1,200 people per day during the Covid-19 pandemic period.
