Rwanda-Burundi relations face further strain

Diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and Burundi appeared set to escalate as the two countries once again traded accusations over the former’s alleged backing of Burundian opposition members who are allegedly plotting to overthrow the Bujumbura government.

While by press time Kigali had yet to retaliate for Bujumbura’s decision this week to expel Désiré Nyaruhirira, the first counsellor at the Rwandan embassy in Burundi — who has served the mission for the past 10 years — for allegedly creating insecurity in the country, — relations between the two countries are expected to worsen in the coming months.

When contacted, Burundian ambassador to Rwanda Alexis Ntukamazina said his government had not informed him about the expulsion of Rwandan envoy. He also said that Rwanda had not expelled any of the embassy staff.

All the staff are working normally, said Mr Ntukamazina, adding that should Rwanda move to expel any of the embassy officials, it would be exercising its rights.

Mr Nyaruhirira was not in Burundi when he was expelled.

Burundi also expelled several Rwandan traders in Kayanza, a city located in northern Burundi, heightening the diplomatic tension.

Last week, Burundi formally through the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) accused Rwanda of training rebels seeking to destabilise the country, allegations Kigali denies.

ICGLR has in turn “urged the government of Rwanda to facilitate the deployment of the Expanded Joint Verification Mission in its territory in order to verify the claims made by the government of Burundi.”

But authorities in Kigali have dismissed the ICGLR recommendations on the matter, further complicating the mediation process.

“It is the usual suspicion from Burundi,” said a top Rwandan government official who requested anonymity, explaining that Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo, who is also the Rwanda government spokesperson, is soon to issue a statement on the expulsion of the Rwandan diplomat.

“The Burundian government is using Rwanda as a scapegoat,” the official said.

READ: Rwanda protests ICGLR’s bid to broker peace deal with Burundi

Rwanda has also in turn accused Bujumbura of backing FDLR rebels, who have among their ranks, people suspected of carrying out the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi.

While relations between the two countries deteriorated further after Burundi accused Rwanda of hosting failed coup leader Gen Godefroid Niyombare, who tried to seize power in May, Kigali has also accused Bujumbura of detaining its citizens on suspicion of espionage.

Early September, dozens of Rwandans held incommunicado by Bujumbura were released, though it is not clear whether all the 30 who had been reportedly arrested were released.

Burundi in turn says Rwanda is detaining its citizens on similar grounds. It is thought that at least 29 Burundians are being held by Rwandan authorities on suspicion of spying for Bujumbura.

“I can confirm that we are aware of some Burundians who are detained in Rwanda and we are working to see how this matter can be resolved,” Mr Ntukamazina told The EastAfrican, without specifying the number or the reasons why they were arrested.

According to sources, the Burundians were arrested between April and August after they were suspected of spying for the Burundian government.

“Most of them came in masquerading as refugees, but they would later be suspected or found to be spies or members of Imbonerakure (a pro-government militia group) who were sent to spy on fellow countrymen seeking refuge in Rwanda,” a Burundian refuge told The EastAfrican.

OP The East African