New tensions with Burundi over Rwandans held in prison

In Summary

1.Tensions between Rwanda and Burundi continue to simmer following reports that dozens of Rwandans are being held incommunicado by Burundian authorities on suspicion of espionage.
2. Bujumbura in turn has accused Kigali of supporting rebel groups planning to wage war against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s government.

Tensions between Rwanda and Burundi continue to simmer following reports that dozens of Rwandans are being held incommunicado by Burundian authorities on suspicion of espionage, amid reports that Kigali has offered a safe haven to Burundian opposition members.

Bujumbura has accused Kigali of supporting rebel groups planning to wage war against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s government, accusations that the Rwandan government has vehemently denied.

Diplomatic ties between Rwanda and Burundi have not been good over the past months after Kigali expressed concern over the violence in the country.

Burundi in turn accused Rwanda, which is hosting over 70,000 Burundian refugees, of allowing opposition members a safe haven to regroup and wage war against the government.

READ: Kigali says Burundi security situation affecting Rwanda

According to reports, over 50 Rwandans, mainly business people and travellers, picked up from different parts of the country by security agents, are languishing in Burundian jails without trial, on suspicion of espionage.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo said at the weekend that the government had raised the issue of the missing Rwandans with the Nkurunziza regime.

“The Rwanda government has raised the issue with Burundian government in many ways, including via its ambassador to Rwanda, our Embassy in Bujumbura and the Burundian Foreign Minister,” Ms Mushikiwabo said on Twitter.

Efforts to reach Burundian ambassador to Rwanda Alexis Ntukamazina were futile, but Rwanda’s envoy to Burundi Amandin Rugira confirmed that Burundian authorities have been notified on the issue of missing Rwandans who are reportedly being detained in Burundi.

Complaint

“We have formally communicated to the Burundian government on the matter with a list of names of people who are confirmed to be in custody, but the embassy is still getting names of more people thought to be detained here from relatives,” said Mr Rugira, without giving further details on when the suspected Rwandans will be released.

“We are following up the matter to see how this concern can be addressed.”

Rwandans living in Burundi or travelling to the country allege that they were targeted in the run-up to and after the July 21 controversial presidential election, particularly by security organs on suspicion that they were spying for the Rwandan government.

“We are targeted on a daily basis and subjected to random searches, day or night,” said Eugene Nyiridandi, a Rwandan phone dealer in the Burundian capital.

He said that the majority of the arrested Rwandans are business people who have been trading in the Burundian capital.