Burundi’s President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, has announced that he has a plan to attack Rwanda and reach Kigali if Bujumbura is invaded.
Ndayishimiye made this statement during a recent interview with BBC Gahuzamiryango.
According to the media outlet, he claimed that Rwanda is preparing to attack Burundi through the RED-Tabara rebel group. He stated that if this group invades Bujumbura, he will immediately launch an attack on Kigali.
He said: “We know that Rwanda is trying to attack us via the Democratic Republic of Congo, using the RED-Tabara group. But we tell them that if they plan to invade Bujumbura through Congo, then for us, reaching Kigali through Kirundo is not difficult.”
President Ndayishimiye asserted that he has credible intelligence indicating that Rwanda is planning an attack on Burundi. However, he warned that if such an attack occurs, it could escalate into a regional war.
He said: “Rwanda is a country that cannot feel at peace unless it provokes others. It has already clashed with Uganda and Tanzania… It is now involved in war in Congo while also preparing to attack us.”
He added: “We will not allow ourselves to be slaughtered like animals, as they are doing to the Congolese. We will fight, and Burundians are ready.”
Ongoing War of Words Between Ndayishimiye and Rwanda
Ndayishimiye’s statements come amid an ongoing verbal confrontation with Rwanda.
This war of words began in January when he, in the presence of foreign diplomats in Burundi, accused Rwanda of planning to attack his country. He also warned the international community that if they failed to stop Rwanda, which he accused of fueling the war in Congo, the conflict would become “a general war.”
In February, while addressing residents of Kirundo Province, he reiterated that he was preparing for war against Rwanda and urged Burundians to get ready for battle.
Speaking to residents of Bugabira Commune, he said: “Prepare yourselves, do not be afraid. We know them. In Bugesera, you know them well. Since the time of the monarchy, they have never defeated us. Do you think they can defeat us now? Remind them of how things were in Kirundo!”
Recently, while attending prayers at Eglise Vision de Jésus-Christ, President Ndayishimiye again accused Rwanda of plotting to attack his country. However, he claimed that Burundi’s army is stronger than Rwanda’s.
He said: “These dreams of attacking Burundi mean nothing to me. I have heard them say that Rwanda’s army is strong, but if only they knew the army I have! If only they knew! How could they know without praying to God to reveal it to them?”
President Ndayishimiye also warned Rwanda that if it dares to attack Burundi, its soldiers would be devoured by wasps.
He said: “Burundi has both visible and invisible soldiers. Burundi is well protected—I assure you. We have an army. If only they could see what I see. God could command the wasps to go and devour them, and they would be finished.”
Rwanda’s Response
Ndayishimiye made these remarks while continuing to blame Rwanda for the ongoing ethnic-based killings in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In response, the Rwandan Government Spokesperson dismissed his claims as surprising, especially given that the military leaders of both countries have been holding discussions on border security cooperation.
He said: “These statements are surprising because, in reality, military and security officials from both Rwanda and Burundi have been meeting to discuss how to secure our shared borders, particularly in relation to the ongoing situation in eastern Congo.”
Despite these accusations, President Paul Kagame recently stated that efforts were being made to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries, which had been strained for years.
President Kagame made this announcement following meetings between the heads of Rwanda’s and Burundi’s intelligence agencies, held in Kigali and Kirundo, aimed at resolving ongoing tensions.
