Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye has once again claimed to possess credible information indicating that Rwanda is still plotting to attack his country.
The Burundian leader made these remarks in a recent interview with journalist Marc Perelman of France 24 television.
Last month, during a conversation with the BBC, President Ndayishimiye stated he had intelligence suggesting Rwanda was preparing to launch a war against Burundi. At the time, he issued a warning, saying: “If Rwanda dares to attack Bujumbura through Congo, then for us, reaching Kigali won’t require passing through Kirundo.”
When asked during the France 24 interview if he still believed Rwanda was planning a military assault, Ndayishimiye firmly confirmed it — claiming that there were both reports and concrete signs of the plot.
“First of all, we have the information, we know of the plot, and secondly, there’s evidence,” he said. “The evidence we have starts with the fact that they are sheltering those involved in the 2015 coup attempt against our country, individuals who are now planning to attack Burundi.”
Ndayishimiye went on to claim that Rwanda might be preparing to use these dissidents as a proxy force, in the same way it allegedly backs M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, framing them as Congolese fighters.
“They have a plan to use the perpetrators of the 2015 coup, labeling them as Burundians — when in truth, it’s Rwanda orchestrating the attack,” he added.
The president expressed concern that Rwanda has shown no willingness to extradite the coup suspects for justice in Burundi. However, he suggested that as long as the conflict in eastern DR Congo continues, it would be difficult for Rwanda to launch an attack on Burundi.
Ndayishimiye said his country would remain vigilant until it receives undeniable proof that Rwanda has no hostile intentions toward Burundi.
So far, the Rwandan government has not officially responded to these latest allegations.
Back in March, when President Ndayishimiye made a similar claim about a planned attack on Kigali, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo expressed surprise at his remarks, noting that security officials from both countries had been holding discussions on joint border security just days prior.
Relations between the two neighboring countries worsened significantly toward the end of 2023 when Burundi accused Rwanda of supporting the Red Tabara rebel group, which opposes the government in Gitega.
Tensions escalated further when Burundi sent troops into the Democratic Republic of Congo to support FARDC and FDLR forces in their ongoing conflict against M23 rebels. Later, President Ndayishimiye made a public statement in Kinshasa expressing his readiness to support efforts to overthrow the Rwandan government, in what he described as a mission to help Rwandan youth free themselves.
