Burundi’s president Evariste Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of sheltering, training, financing the armed group that has continued to carry out attacks in Burundi.
While addressing the public in Cankuzo this Friday December 29th, 2023, President Evariste Ndayishimiye said that Rwanda has failed to handover the perpetrators to be prosecuted in Burundi since 2015 despite efforts to dialogue for the last two years.
“They are given shelter, food, offices, funds and the country they are based in is Rwanda. 2 years now we were dialogue with Rwanda so as the perpetrators can be extradited but seems it has failed,” said the Burundian president Evariste Ndayishimiye.
On the Christmas Eve last week, a rebel group RED Tabara claimed an attack in one of Burundi’s small towns (Gatumba) that borders the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the Burundian government, atleast 20 people were killed during the armed attack on the night of 22nd December 2023 that included 12 children and 2 pregnant women and a policeman.
Rwanda and Burundi relations seemed to have been taking a positive turn since 2020 when President Evariste Ndayishimiye took over the office. The Ruhwa border between two countries was opened after more than 5 years as government officials paid courtesy calls to each other.
With now the recent developments, analysts say that the two country’s relations that was seemingly gaining momentum had been dealt with a huge blow.