Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of planning to attack his country and backing rebel groups to destabilize the region. In an interview with the BBC, he claimed to have “credible intelligence” that Rwanda has hostile intentions towards Burundi, drawing parallels to Rwanda’s alleged role in the ongoing Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict.
Rwanda has swiftly denied these allegations, calling them “surprising” and insisting that both nations are cooperating on security matters along their shared border, which has been closed for over a year. However, the accusations add to long-standing tensions between the two East African nations, which have historical disputes and security concerns.
Ndayishimiye has pointed to the Red Tabara rebel group as a Rwandan proxy force, similar to the M23 rebels active in the DRC. He also reiterated accusations that Rwanda was involved in organizing the failed 2015 coup attempt against his predecessor, Pierre Nkurunziza. According to the Burundian president, Rwanda provided training, weapons, and financial support to those behind the coup, many of whom sought refuge in Rwanda.
Despite these serious accusations, Ndayishimiye emphasized that Burundi does not seek war with Rwanda. Instead, he urged for dialogue and full implementation of past peace agreements, which he claims Rwanda has failed to honor. “We want dialogue, but we will not sit idle if we are attacked,” he stated.
The tension between Rwanda and Burundi is part of a broader regional crisis. The conflict in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebels and Rwandan troops have seized vast territories, has displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Ndayishimiye criticized Rwanda’s justification for military involvement in the DRC, questioning why Congolese civilians are the ones suffering if Rwanda’s true goal is targeting the FDLR rebel group.
Meanwhile, refugees from the DRC continue to seek safety in Burundi, with many making the perilous journey across the Rusizi River. Ndayishimiye, however, denied that Burundi’s border with the DRC is closed and defended his country’s handling of the refugee crisis.
As regional instability persists, Burundi has vowed to maintain its military presence in the DRC until its own borders are secure. With Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces withdrawing from the DRC after recent losses, the future of peace in the region remains uncertain.
