Speaking in his end-of-year address to Burundians on December 31, Ndayishimiye reiterated allegations he has made repeatedly in recent weeks, accusing Rwanda of undermining peace efforts in the Great Lakes region and of being responsible for insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
He claimed that Rwanda lacks commitment to regional peace, despite what he described as efforts by neighbouring countries to coexist peacefully. Ndayishimiye further alleged that Rwanda was responsible for attacks in the DRC and suggested that Burundi could be the next target, citing what he called hostile rhetoric from Burundians living in exile.
'What is happening in our neighbouring country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, concerns us greatly,' he said. 'The country attacking Congo harbours resentment against Burundi because it continues to protect killers who target our country. Nothing reassures us that after Congo, Burundi would not be next.'
The remarks stand in contrast to Ndayishimiye's own role as a witness to the signing of regional peace agreements between Rwanda and the DRC, during which no evidence was presented to support claims that Rwanda had attacked Congolese territory. Throughout the negotiations and accompanying diplomatic engagements, Rwanda's involvement in the conflict was not established, with Kigali repeatedly rejecting the accusations as politically motivated.
Analysts note that accusations against Rwanda have become a recurring narrative among officials in Kinshasa and its regional allies, often used to deflect attention from the AFC/M23 rebellion and to push for international sanctions against Kigali.
Ndayishimiye's rhetoric also appears to place Burundi firmly within the political and security alignment of Congolese President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, alongside armed groups such as the FDLR and Wazalendo militias, which are actively engaged in fighting AFC/M23 in eastern Congo. The FDLR, in particular, is designated as a terrorist group and is linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
In his address, the Burundian president, who closed the border with Rwanda in January 2024, said relations between the two countries would remain strained unless individuals accused of attempting a coup in Burundi in 2015 are handed over.
Rwanda has repeatedly stated that Burundians residing in Kigali who are sought by Bujumbura are recognised refugees protected under international law and therefore fall outside Rwanda's jurisdiction.
Kigali has also accused Burundi of contributing to deteriorating relations by cooperating with the FDLR and by supporting Congolese military initiatives that, according to Rwandan officials, openly seek to undermine Rwanda's security.
Despite renewed calls for dialogue, Ndayishimiye's latest remarks are likely to deepen diplomatic tensions, reinforcing a narrative that regional observers say risks further entrenching divisions rather than advancing stability in the Great Lakes region.
IGIHE
