Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of planning an attack on his country, citing “credible intelligence” to support his claim. Speaking to the BBC, Ndayishimiye also alleged that Rwanda attempted to orchestrate a coup in Burundi nearly a decade ago, similar to its current actions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Rwanda swiftly dismissed the allegations, calling them “surprising” and insisting that both countries are cooperating on border security. Despite extensive UN reports, Rwanda continues to deny arming and backing the M23 rebel group, which has taken control of vast areas in eastern DRC.
Ndayishimiye also accused Rwanda of supporting the Red Tabara rebel group, which he described as a “proxy force” similar to M23, aimed at destabilizing Burundi. “They say it’s an internal problem, but Rwanda is the real issue. We know that President Paul Kagame has a plan to attack Burundi,” Ndayishimiye said.
However, he emphasized that Burundi has no plans to launch an attack on Rwanda and prefers diplomatic solutions.
At the heart of his concerns is Rwanda’s alleged failure to honor past peace agreements. The Burundian president claims that individuals involved in the 2015 coup attempt were organized by Rwanda, trained in Mahama refugee camp, and provided with weapons and financial support. He called on Rwanda to hand over these individuals to Burundian authorities for prosecution.
Beyond tensions with Rwanda, Ndayishimiye addressed the worsening conflict in eastern DRC, where multiple rebel groups, militias, and foreign actors are battling for control of the region’s vast mineral wealth. “External forces are perpetuating this conflict. They don’t want peace because they benefit from looting DRC’s resources,” he stated.
He urged all parties, including opposition groups and armed factions, to engage in dialogue to secure a peaceful future. However, he insisted that Rwanda must first demonstrate its willingness to resolve its disputes with the DRC peacefully.
“The problem between Rwanda and the DRC is small and can be solved without killing people. Rwanda says it is fighting FDLR [a Rwandan rebel group linked to the 1994 genocide], yet the victims are Congolese civilians. Why are they killing Congolese people?” he asked.
Since M23 rebels and Rwandan troops began seizing territories in eastern DRC in January, hundreds of thousands of Congolese civilians have been displaced. Some have attempted to flee to Burundi, crossing the dangerous Rusizi River—an ordeal that has already claimed multiple lives, including that of a three-year-old child.
While many Congolese refugees complain that the Burundi-DRC border is closed, Ndayishimiye denied the claim, stating: “Our border with Congo is not closed. How did they get here? They can return the same way.”
However, when confronted with the fact that crossing the Rusizi River is perilous, he responded: “You know, we didn’t invite them. They can return whenever they want. But when they are here, they are our guests. Just like in any home, the host decides where a guest stays and what they eat.”
Ndayishimiye stressed that for lasting peace in DRC, international forces should be given a stronger mandate to actively engage rebel groups. He also confirmed that Burundian troops would not withdraw from eastern DRC until Burundi’s borders are fully secured.
Earlier this month, southern African leaders announced the withdrawal of their regional forces from DRC, following the deaths of at least 19 soldiers in the conflict. However, Burundi remains committed to its military presence in the region.
With tensions between Rwanda, Burundi, and DRC escalating, the future of regional stability remains uncertain.
