'These comments are surprising because Rwandan and Burundian defence and security institutions have actually been meeting to discuss how to secure our common borders in light of developments in Eastern DRC,' Makolo.
The President of Burundi made these remarks during an interview with the BBC, where he accused Rwanda of attempting to destabilize his country by backing RED Tabaraâ€"an armed group based in South Kivu, DRC, known for its opposition to the Burundian government.
He alleged that Rwanda plans to use this rebel group in the same way it has been accused of supporting M23 rebels in eastern DRC.
'We know that Rwanda is trying to attack us through RED Tabara operating from Congo. But if they want to come to Bujumbura that way, we can also get to Kigali through Kirundo,' Ndayishimiye warned.
This is not the first time Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of supporting RED Tabara. In December 2023, following an attack by the group in Gatumba zone, Bujumbura, he repeated similar accusations.
These allegations, refuted by Kigali as baseless, saw Burundi closing borders in January 2024.
Despite these tensions, recent months had seen signs of diplomatic progress. Military and intelligence officials from both countries held bilateral meetings aimed at restoring security cooperation and resolving border issues.
The latest such meeting took place on March 10 in Kirundo province, Burundi. Besides, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, stated on March 14 that Rwanda and Burundi were on a good path towards de-escalation and mutual understanding as talks continue between the leadership of both countries.
President Paul Kagame also hinted at improving regional relations during a citizen outreach programme on March 16 at BK Arena, where he revealed that former colonial powers had attempted to unite Burundi and DRC against Rwanda.
However, he noted that such efforts were being unraveled and Rwanda was working to rebuild strong ties.
Speaking at a church event on the same day, President Ndayishimiye accused Rwanda of sowing chaos across the region and described any intentions to attack Burundi as madness.
'The idea that someone dreams of attacking Burundi is madness. I hear people say, 'Rwanda has a strong army.' Oh! They don't know the kind of army I have,' he said defiantly.
'Burundi has both visible and invisible forces. We are well protected.' Ndayishimiye also expressed lingering frustration over Rwanda's refusal to extradite individuals accused of involvement in the 2015 attempted coup against the late President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Rwanda has maintained that these individuals are refugees protected under international law and cannot be handed over.
The current turn of events casts doubt on the recent optimism surrounding Burundiâ€"Rwanda relations.
While both countries had appeared to be on a diplomatic path towards peace and cooperation, President Ndayishimiye's statements suggest deeper mistrust still lingersâ€"potentially jeopardizing the fragile progress made in recent months.
IGIHE
