Faith Nyasuguta
Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of planning an attack on his country, citing “credible intelligence” that suggests Rwanda is supporting the Red Tabara rebel group to destabilize Burundi. Ndayishimiye made these claims during an interview with the BBC, where he also alleged that Rwanda was behind a failed coup attempt in Burundi in 2015.
In response, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe dismissed the allegations as “unfortunate” and emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to peace. He stated that both nations have been engaging in discussions to de-escalate tensions and resolve security concerns along their shared border. Nduhungirehe called for calm and urged Burundi to approach the situation with “serenity” to avoid further straining relations.
The accusations come amid heightened tensions in the Great Lakes region, where conflicts in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have drawn in multiple countries. Burundi has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group in the DRC, a claim Rwanda denies. Similarly, Rwanda has denied any links to the Red Tabara rebel group, which Ndayishimiye claims is being used as a proxy force to destabilize Burundi.
Burundi and Rwanda have a history of strained relations, particularly following the 2015 coup attempt in Burundi, which Ndayishimiye alleges was orchestrated with Rwandan support. The border between the two countries was closed for over five years and only reopened recently. Despite these challenges, both nations have held several meetings in recent weeks to address security concerns and explore ways to improve bilateral relations.
The situation highlights the broader regional stakes of the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, where the M23 rebel group has seized large swathes of territory. The United Nations has previously linked Rwanda to arming the M23 rebels, a claim Rwanda denies. Burundi, for its part, has deployed troops in the DRC to combat Burundian rebel groups operating there.
As tensions persist, humanitarian groups have called for dialogue and de-escalation to prevent further instability in the region. The outcome of these discussions will likely have significant implications for peace and security in the Great Lakes region.
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