Burundi Blames Rwanda for Deadly Rebel Attack

Burundis President accuses Rwanda of supporting a rebel group behind a deadly attack, further straining relations between the neighboring countries.

Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of funding and training rebels responsible for an attack on the village of Gatumba, near Burundi's border with Congo, which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people. The attack was claimed by a Burundian armed rebel group known as RED-Tabara, based in South Kivu, eastern Congo. The group denied targeting civilians and claimed to have killed nine soldiers and a police officer.

RED-Tabara: A History of Attacks

Burundian authorities consider RED-Tabara a terrorist movement. The group first emerged in 2011 and has been linked to a series of attacks in Burundi since 2015. President Ndayishimiye alleged that Rwanda provides logistical and financial support to RED-Tabara, accusing the neighboring country of harboring and maintaining the rebels.

Unsuccessful Negotiations and Strained Relations

Ndayishimiye expressed frustration over Burundi's unsuccessful attempts to negotiate with Rwanda for the extradition of the rebels over the past two years. He emphasized that as long as Rwanda continues to support RED-Tabara, tensions between the two countries will persist. Rwanda has not immediately responded to these accusations, but it has previously stated that it cannot extradite individuals under the protection of the U.N. refugee agency.

Improving Relations and Recent Developments

Relations between Burundi and Rwanda improved following Ndayishimiye's rise to power in June 2020, leading to the reopening of borders. However, the Gatumba attack has strained relations once again. Burundi has described the incident as an act of terror and has sought Interpol's assistance in apprehending the perpetrators. Some of the victims of the attack were buried on Tuesday.

Burundi's Involvement in Eastern Congo

In August 2022, Burundi deployed soldiers to eastern Congo as part of a regional force invited by Congo to address the resurgence of the M23 rebel group. Some observers believed that the Burundi troops would be used to combat RED-Tabara. However, the East African Regional force is currently being withdrawn from eastern Congo due to complaints that the forces were cohabiting with rebels instead of disarming them.

Burundi's accusations against Rwanda have reignited tensions between the two countries, casting a shadow over the recent improvements in their relationship. The Gatumba attack and the ongoing presence of RED-Tabara rebels in eastern Congo further complicate the regional security dynamics. As Burundi seeks international assistance in apprehending the perpetrators, the situation demands diplomatic efforts and cooperation to address the underlying issues and restore stability in the region.