The minister made the comments following President Ndayishimiye's interview with the BBC, in which he claimed to have reliable information suggesting that Rwanda is planning an attack on Burundi through the RED Tabara rebel group, which operates in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the interview, President Ndayishimiye intensified his rhetoric, suggesting that Burundi is prepared to attack Rwanda.
"We know that Rwanda is attempting to attack us via Congolese territory, using the RED Tabara group. But we are telling them that if they want to attack Bujumbura through Congo, Kigali is not far from us through Kirundo," he stated.
Nduhungirehe expressed concern that such comments contradicted the progress made in talks between the two countries to de-escalate tensions.
'This statement by H.E. the President of Burundi is unfortunate, especially since the military and intelligence authorities of both countries are currently in discussions and have even agreed on the need for a military and verbal de-escalation,' Nduhungirehe stated, referring to the talks, with the most recent meeting taking place in Kirundo Province on March 10, 2025.
The minister also noted that he had discussed the matter with his Burundian counterpart during a recent joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) ministerial meeting in Zimbabwe.
'I also discussed this matter with my Burundian counterpart on the sidelines of the joint EAC-SADC ministerial meeting in Harare on March 17, 2025, and we were fully aligned on this issue,' Nduhungirehe added.
Despite the setbacks, Nduhungirehe emphasized that Rwanda remains committed to peace with Burundi and the broader Great Lakes region.
"Rwanda will continue its commitment to peace with Burundi and in the Great Lakes region, while hoping for more calm and restraint in official statements from across the Akanyaru River," he stated.
The relations between Rwanda and Burundi have been strained for years, particularly due to Rwanda's refusal to extradite individuals accused of attempting to overthrow former President Pierre Nkurunziza's government in 2015. Rwanda maintains that these individuals are refugees protected under international law, preventing their extradition.
Since January 2024, Burundi has closed its land borders with Rwanda, accusing it of supporting attacks by RED Tabaraâ€"a claim that Rwanda has consistently denied, asserting it has no connection with the armed group.
IGIHE
