President Paul Kagame has publicly accused Burundi of orchestrating a covert military campaign in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), describing Bujumbura as the region’s most destabilizing actor while its forces repeatedly face battlefield defeats.
Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for new national leaders, Kagame said Burundi deployed tens of thousands of troops across conflict zones in eastern DRC—including Goma, Minembwe, Walikale, and most recently Uvira—despite public denials from Bujumbura.
“They were defeated in Goma. They were defeated in Minembwe. And again recently in Uvira,” Kagame said. “Yet Rwanda is still blamed for instability in these areas.”
Kagame described a pattern of deception. He personally confronted Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye after intelligence showed troops moving north toward Rutshuru and Goma.
Ndayishimiye claimed the forces were confined to South Kivu for “internal security,” but weeks later, Burundian soldiers were captured, exposing the cover-up.
The issue has direct implications for regional peace efforts. On December 4, during the signing of peace agreements in Washington D.C., Kagame noted, fighting in eastern Congo—including actions by Burundian forces—was already underway before the signing and continued afterward, undermining the spirit of the agreements.
“Even as we signed the accords in Washington, fighting was taking place that violated earlier commitments,” he said. “You cannot build peace on one side while another country secretly escalates war.”
According to Kagame, Burundi expanded its presence after the East African Community (EAC) forces were expelled by Kinshasa.
While other regional armies withdrew, Burundi remained and increased its deployments, consolidating control over key fronts in eastern Congo.
“These deployments are not stabilizing the region; they are fueling conflict,” Kagame said, implying Burundi has become the antagonistic force prolonging the war.
He warned that international neglect has allowed Burundi to operate without accountability while global narratives continue to focus disproportionately on Rwanda.
“People ignore what is happening in front of their eyes,” he said. “Burundi escalates, loses battles, yet Rwanda is held responsible.”
Kagame also highlighted the broader consequences for peace agreements, emphasizing that hidden troop movements by Burundi undermine Rwanda’s sincere commitments.
He called for full transparency from all regional actors and emphasized that Rwanda will continue defending itself while seeking stability in the Great Lakes region.
“This region needs honesty before it can have peace,” he said. “Rwanda will carry its burden—but it cannot carry the burden of others.”