Burundi President: Rwanda Attack Imminent

Rwanda is planning to attack Burundi even as it continues to help M23 rebels take control over large parts of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye told the BBC.

Ndayishimiye said he has seen “credible intelligence” that an attack by Rwanda is imminent, adding that Rwanda had already tried to stage a coup in Burundi a decade ago to destabilize the country.

Rwandan officials also called Ndayishimiye’s comments “surprising,” insisting the two neighbors are working together on security plans for their shared border, which has been closed for over a year.

Rwanda has also denied arming and backing M23 or participating in the invasion of eastern DRC – despite extensive evidence provided by the United Nations.

The long-running conflict in mineral-rich eastern DRC flared in January after the M23 rebels, backed by 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, took over key cities, seeking control of the region’s mineral wealth. The outbreak of war has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, displacing more than seven million people – tens of thousands of Congolese have already crossed into Burundi seeking refuge, according to France 24.

The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that its funds for Burundi are “stretched to the limit” and may run out by June, Euronews noted.

Meanwhile, tensions have also peaked in the region between Rwanda, the DRC, Burundi, and also South Africa – the latter has accused Rwanda of trying to destabilize the region and killing its peacekeepers in the DRC.

Despite denying involvement, Rwandan leader Paul Kagame says that his priority is to destroy an armed group formed by Hutus involved in the Rwandan genocide, who he says massacred Rwandan Tutsis and then fled to the DRC.

He also views Burundi’s army in the eastern DRC as a security threat.

Relations between Rwanda and Burundi have long been hostile. The two countries have a similar ethnic make-up, but unlike Rwanda, the majority Hutus are in power in Burundi. Both countries have accused each other of trying to overthrow their respective governments.

Rwanda also denied any links with the resurgent Red Tabara rebel group in Burundi, which Ndayishimiye says is similar to M23, wants to take over Burundi, and is backed by Rwanda.