The Burundian President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, has accused his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, of offering refuge, financing, training, and protection to the armed group "Red Tabara" which attacked Burundi on the eve of Christmas, resulting in the death of 20 people in Gatumba.
The Burundian president has indicated that it may not end well if Rwanda continues to protect the attackers of Burundi. On the Rwandan side, Kigali categorically denies these accusations.
"Rwanda is not associated, in any way, with any Burundian armed groups," Kigali said in a statement. However, the note continues, the government of Rwanda urges the Burundian government to "address its concerns through diplomatic channels where they can be resolved amicably."
Following the Congolese President, Félix Tshisekedi, who recurrently accuses Paul Kagame and his regime of destabilizing the East of the DRC by supporting the rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23), it's now Burundi's turn to follow suit. Moreover, Gitega and Kinshasa have signed bilateral agreements, including military ones, to face security threats. The Burundian President even justified his support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, considering that what happens to the Congolese could also happen to the Burundians. This prompted him to call on Burundians to stand behind the Congolese.
"We have decided to stand with the DRC, because the fire attacking the DRC is the same fire that can attack us tomorrow. I call on all Burundians to mobilize behind the Congolese because protecting the DRC is also protecting Burundi," he declared.
Dido Nsapu