"Rwanda and Burundi are on a promising path to ending hostilities and reaching an understanding, as discussions between the leaders of both countries continue," he stated.
The ongoing discussions referenced by Minister Nduhungirehe include a meeting held in Rwanda two weeks ago between intelligence officials from both countries and another meeting in Kirundo Province on March 10, 2025.
Relations between Rwanda and Burundi deteriorated in late 2023 when Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye accused Rwanda of supporting the RED Tabara rebel group, which had launched an attack on Gatumba Zone near Bujumbura.
Rwanda strongly denied these allegations, explaining that it had never collaborated with any group opposing the Bujumbura government. However, Burundi dismissed these explanations and, in January 2024, closed all land borders with Rwanda, citing security concerns.
The East African Community (EAC), led by South Sudan's President Salva Mayardit Kiir, attempted to mediate between the two nations, emphasizing the bloc's goal of fostering regional trade and cooperation.
In July 2024, during an EAC foreign ministers' retreat in Zanzibar, Minister Nduhungirehe and his Burundian counterpart, Albert Shingiro, agreed that the two countries would resolve their disputes without external mediation.
It was decided that envoys from both nations would meet by October 2024 to discuss the issues. However, the meeting did not take place as planned, signaling a setback in the reconciliation process.
By September 2024, Minister Nduhungirehe expressed optimism, stating that the people of Rwanda and Burundi were "brothers and sisters" and that both governments had the willingness to resolve their differences.
"Rwandans and Burundians are brothers, and there is a shared commitment to solving the issues between our two countries," he remarked.
The beginning of 2025 marked a low point in Rwanda-Burundi relations. In late January, President Ndayishimiye made strong statements against Rwanda, indicating readiness to confront the country.
His rhetoric echoed comments he made in Kinshasa in January 2024, where he suggested that Burundian youth would help Rwandans change their government, which he claimed was oppressing the region.
On February 11, during a visit to Kirundo Province near the Rwandan border, President Ndayishimiye told the local population that Burundians were prepared to defeat Rwandans, emphasizing historical victories dating back to the monarchical era.
"Prepare yourselves, do not be afraid. We know them well. From Bugesera to here, since the monarchy, they have never defeated us. Do you think they can beat us now? Remind them, 'Do you know where this all started in Kirundo?'' he declared.
However, during a meeting with foreign diplomats in Burundi on February 27, President Ndayishimiye struck a more conciliatory tone, expressing his government's readiness to engage in dialogue with Rwanda to resolve their disputes peacefully.
"To prevent war between our two countries, we are willing to resolve our differences through peaceful means. We initiated talks with Rwanda in 2020, and to this day, Burundi remains open to dialogue to address the issues between our nations," he stated.
This is not the first time Rwanda and Burundi have experienced and resolved tensions. Between 2015 and 2020, the two countries faced a diplomatic crisis, but negotiations eventually led to the reopening of their previously closed borders.
IGIHE
