In a press conference held on Sunday September 5 in Kigali, the President of the Rwandese Republic spoke about the relations between his country and Burundi which are not yet in good shape. He acknowledged that there is a step taken in the right direction.

“With Burundi, we want to improve our relations, and Burundi shows this will, according to what we have heard and seen. Our ministers and security officials continue to meet,” said the Rwandan head of state.

“I think the situation is improving. And it is for the interest of Burundi and Rwanda. We are on the right track and it is essential, we must continue to encourage different parties to work together. In any case, this is necessary,” he said.

“And when we look for the causes of bad relations (with Burundi), we don't find any. Nothing is equivalent to living on good terms with one's neighbours,” concluded the President of the Republic of Rwanda.

And that is where there is a divergence of views between Kigali and Gitega. The Burundian authorities are still demanding the surrender of the putschists, including General Godefroid Niyombare and their accomplices.

"As soon as this request is honored, relations will return to normal," recalled the Burundian Prime Minister, Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni in his media release on August 19.

But various observers and analysts say that between Kigali and Bujumbura, the lines are moving. These analysts argue that obvious gestures of rapprochement are on the increase.