Rwanda Denies Allegations of Planned Attack on Burundi

In an exclusive BBC interview, President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi alleged that Rwanda is planning to attack his nation, citing "credible intelligence" to support his claims. He referenced a historical coup attempt by Rwanda a decade ago, paralleling it with current actions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rwanda, however, has dismissed these allegations as "surprising" and insists on a collaborative security approach at their shared border, which has experienced prolonged closure.

"Burundians will not accept to be killed as Congolese are being killed," Ndayishimiye stated, while advocating for dialogue instead of conflict. He underscored the importance of peace agreements that he feels Rwanda has failed to honor. He further indicated external forces are intensifying the ongoing conflict in the DRC, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation causing many refugees to cross perilous routes for safety. Ndayishimiye called for international intervention to engage with the multitude of conflicting parties, additionally reinforcing Burundi’s commitment to its own national security.