Her remarks came in response to reactions from Rwandans following President Évariste Ndayishimiye's recent statements about a possible war between Rwanda and Burundi.
On February 16, 2025, President Ndayishimiye declared that, after discussions with Rwanda's allied nations, the supposed plan to attack Burundi had been halted, but he urged Burundians to remain vigilant.
"After discussions with Rwanda's allies, those who hoped to benefit from Rwanda's attack on Burundi should forget about it. But patriotic Burundians, stay alert because no one knows when a thief will strike," Ndayishimiye stated.
Rwandans on social media quickly responded, asserting that they harbor no ill intentions toward Burundi and that it is Ndayishimiye who repeatedly displays hostility toward Rwanda.
Burundians also reminded their president that in January 2024, while in Kinshasa, he openly expressed a desire to overthrow the Rwandan government. Many social media users claimed that Ndayishimiye had blocked them and hidden their comments, suggesting that he could not handle criticism.
In response to these reactions, Gatoni lashed out at Rwandans, calling them earthworms and implying they were swarming social media with insults.
"Our neighbors are all over social media like earthworms, hurling insults. But you can immediately see the kind of upbringing they have had. They have nowhere else to go," Gatoni wrote.
Her comment sparked widespread condemnation. Journalist King Umurundi challenged Gatoni, asking how she would feel if her own child were insulted in such a manner.
"Dear Gatoni, being the President's spokesperson does not give you the right to forget our Burundian culture and compare people to earthworms. Have you ever given birth to understand the pain of having your child called a parasite?" he asked.
Burundian activist Pacifique Nininahazwe also criticized Gatoni, recalling that President Ndayishimiye once said he raises 'iminyorogoto' (earthworms), implying confusion in Burundi's leadership.
"The President says he breeds earthworms, and now his spokesperson calls neighbor the same. This presidency has a serious problem. Who advises who?" he remarked.
Burundian opposition figure Hon. Wilson Lixon pointed out the double standards in Burundi's politics.
"When I criticize the government, Imbonerakure (Burundi's ruling party youth militia) accuse me of insulting state institutions. Yet the presidential spokesperson has the audacity to call people eathrworms. I have never compared leaders to animals, but look at this."
Others, like Peter Mahirwe, argued that Gatoni's comments explain why President Ndayishimiye's speeches often lack substance.
"Earthworms? This is the kind of communication we get from Burundi's presidential office! Now I understand who writes those meaningless speeches for Ndayishimiye," he commented.
Tensions between Rwanda and Burundi have been escalating since December 2023. In January 2024, Burundi closed its land borders with Rwanda, citing security concerns. Since then, relations between the two nations have remained strained.
IGIHE
