By CHIMPREPORTS
Burundian leader, Evariste Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of helping the rebel Red Tabara movement, a claim Kigali denies.
“Rwanda has been providing food, shelter and training facilities to Red Tabara,” said Ndayishimiye during an interactive live broadcast session in Burundi on Friday.
“It is Rwanda that provides money and even offices to Red Tabara,” Ndayishimiye emphasised.
Red Tabara has been conducting attacks on Burundian territory since 2015, killing innocent civilians.
ALSO READ: Burundi Army Fights Red Tabara Rebels in DRC
The militants claimed responsibility for the deadly attack that left 20 people dead last Friday in Gatumba, Mutimbuzi district in west Burundi’s Bujumbura province, near the border between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Rwanda speaks out
In a response to the accusations, the Government of Rwanda said it “rejects comments by H.E. Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, alleging Rwandan support for Burundian armed rebel groups based in Eastern DRC.”
The statement further read: “Rwanda is not associated, in any way, with any Burundian armed group.It should be recalled that, in the spirit of mutual cooperation, the Government of Rwanda has previously handed over, through the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism, Burundian combatants who illegally crossed into Rwanda.”
The Government of Rwanda also urged the Government of Burundi to “address their concerns through diplomatic channels where they can be resolved amicably.”
Tensions between Rwanda and Burundi have risen in recent months over Gitega’s support for DRC’s armed forces in the war against Kigali-backed M23 rebels.
The United Nations recently warned about the possibility of a war between Rwanda and DRC which could drag in Burundi.
Ndayishimiye on Friday said Burundi would continue to back the DRC in the war against militia groups.
“We decided to be on the DRC side of DRC because the fire that consumes the DRC is the same fire that can burn us tomorrow,” said Ndayishimiye, a battle-hardened military general.
“I call on all Burundians to mobilise behind DRC because protecting DRC is also protecting Burundi,” he added.
A visibly incensed Ndayishimiye accused Red Tabara of killing children and disembowelling expectant mothers.
The Burundian leader described the militants as “terrorists” who must be fought “with all our energy.”
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