Bujumbura/Kigali – Tensions between Burundi and Rwanda continue to escalate after the Burundian government began deploying significant numbers of soldiers and heavy weaponry to areas bordering Rwanda, according to regional news reports. This visible preparation comes at a time when Burundian forces recently suffered a major setback in the conflict in Eastern DRC.
The Border Transformed into a Staging Ground
Information from senior Burundian military officials, provided to the news platform SOS Medias, confirms that troops and heavy weapons have been specifically sent to the Busoni Commune, in Butanyerera Province, close to the Gasenyi-Nemba border crossing.
One military official stated: “Heavy weapons have been positioned to counter any threat originating from Rwanda.“
This deployment is corroborated by the recent sighting of Burundian Police trucks in Busoni transporting additional soldiers to military camps, including the 411th base located in Mutwenzi.
In addition to Busoni, security has been significantly heightened in the Bujumbura Province area, specifically the former Cibitoke region.
Heavy Weapons and Public Fear
The presence of heavy weaponry in these areas is causing serious concern among residents near the border. The same weapons deployed in Bujumbura are reportedly those that recently fired shells into the Kamanyola center in the DRC, near the Bugarama border in Rwanda. These shellings are believed to have triggered the AFC/M23 fighters to launch the offensive to capture parts of the Rusizi plain, leading up to the city of Uvira.
Burundian citizens living near the border report that they are sleeping in their clothes, fearing that war could break out at any moment. A resident of the Munzenze area mentioned that they have been ordered to return home early, before 8:00 PM (Saa Mbili z’ijoro), although no official written announcements have been issued.
Reasons for Burundi’s Pressure
This heightened military activity by Burundian forces at the border comes following several developments:
DRC War Setback: The Burundian government is under pressure after being stripped of significant portions of the Rusizi plain by AFC/M23, where Burundian forces were allied with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Wazalendo and FDLR militia groups.
Accusations Against Rwanda: Burundi’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Zéphyrin Maniratanga, recently told the UN Security Council that Rwanda supports AFC/M23, suggesting his country might confront Rwanda directly.
Weapon Acquisition: Reliable information confirms that Burundi has been actively purchasing numerous heavy weapons and combat drones, which have been observed entering military bases, such as Mukoni in Buhumuza Province, indicating preparation for a major conflict.
These events collectively suggest that relations between the two countries continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate, even as neither country has formally declared war on the other.
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