Burundi Accuses Rwanda of Plotting Attack Amid Rising Regional Tensions

By: M. Zgouridi

In a BBC interview on Thursday, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye declared that Rwanda was planning to invade Burundi, based on what he described as “credible intelligence.” He claimed that Rwandan President Paul Kagame was backing rebel movements such as Red Tabara to destabilize Burundi—similar to how Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Ndayishimiye also linked Rwanda to a 2015 coup attempt in Burundi, alleging that Kigali had provided the plotters with weapons, training, and funding.

Rwanda dismissed the allegations as “surprising” and baseless. Officials in Kigali pointed to ongoing cooperation between the two countries’ border forces and accused Burundi of making provocative and unfounded assertions. Rwanda has consistently denied any ties to Red Tabara or involvement in past or current rebel activity.

These accusations come amid rising regional tensions, particularly in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels—reportedly backed by Rwanda—have seized large areas, triggering international alarm. Burundi has recently deployed troops to the DRC to fight M23, placing Burundian and Rwandan forces on opposing sides in a dangerous and volatile conflict.

Although both nations are members of the East African Community, relations remain tense. The Burundi–Rwanda border has been closed since 2024, and regional analysts warn that even a minor escalation could spark a broader regional war.

Tensions increased last month when two Burundian security personnel were killed near the border with eastern DRC. President Ndayishimiye reiterated that Burundi prefers dialogue but warned his country “will never remain with folded arms in the case of an attack.”
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The international community has called for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent the spread of violence across central Africa.