Partial border reopening between DRC and Rwanda after no new Ebola cases

The Corniche border crossing, which links Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Gisenyi in Rwanda, has begun a gradual reopening after more than a week without any new active Ebola cases reported in the area.

Under the initial phase, the measure covers specific groups of travelers: those heading to Gisenyi for banking services, humanitarian workers traveling to Goma or continuing to Kigali for international flights, and individuals demonstrating urgent needs, subject to immigration authorities’ approval.

Residents on both sides have welcomed the partial resumption, as cross-border exchanges had slowed sharply under health restrictions imposed to curb the virus. The flow of people and goods, essential for the local economy, had been severely disrupted, affecting businesses and daily commutes between the two cities.

Health officials are maintaining epidemiological surveillance, contact tracing, and community outreach to prevent any resurgence of the disease, which has a high fatality rate in Central Africa.

The temporary closure of border posts between DRC and Rwanda took effect on the morning of Sunday, 17 May. The Rwandan government, through its Ministry of Health, states it is closely monitoring the outbreak in eastern DRC and confirms that no Ebola cases have been recorded on its soil to date.