Rwanda called Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye‘s allegations that his country was preparing an attack “unfortunate” on Tuesday.
The M23, an armed force that has recently taken control of large portions of eastern Congo, including regions bordering Burundi, is supported by Rwanda.
Speaking to the BBC, the president of Burundi claimed to have “credible intelligence” that Kigali intends to invade its neighbour.
Ndayishimiye also charged Rwanda with orchestrating a 2015 coup attempt, citing “what it’s doing in the Democratic Republic of Congo” as grounds.
Credit: TCHANDROU NITANGA / AFP
Rwanda’s foreign minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, emphasised that the nations were talking about peace.
“This statement by the President of Burundi is unfortunate, especially since the military and intelligence authorities of the two countries are currently in discussion, and have even agreed on the need for a military and verbal de-escalation,” Nduhungirehe stated on X.
Rwanda was accused of aiding the RED-Tabara group, a Burundian rebel band that has carried out numerous attacks, and Burundi closed its border with Rwanda last year.
Rwanda denies supporting the rebel organisation.
Although it has been accused of carrying out lethal violence in Burundi since 2015, RED-Tabara, which was founded in 2011, has not been active there since September 2021, when it carried out multiple attacks, including one on the city Bujumbura’s airport.
Ndayishimiye urged his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to follow a peace agreement that was made years ago and turn over the rebels responsible for the 2015 coup.
“We don’t need to start a war. We want to have a conversation, but if we are attacked, we won’t just sit there,” Ndayishimiye told the BBC.
