In a strong address to Burundian citizens, President Évariste Ndayishimiye warned that Burundi will not hesitate to retaliate should the country come under attack as the crisis in neighboring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) deepens.
Speaking to the people of Kirundo, a province in northern Burundi bordering Rwanda, on Tuesday, President Ndayishimiye urged citizens to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures. He was clear in his message, saying: “I tell you this—Stay on alert. The governor spoke of ‘a bad neighbor’ [Rwanda] who never stops scheming, but I have already warned him, ” he said in a video that has gone viral on social media. Whoever provokes us, we will respond in kind.’ So, be prepared, do not be afraid—we know those people well.”
In his remarks, President Ndayishimiye also boasted of Burundi’s historical resilience, citing past victories over Rwanda since the era of the monarchy. “Since the time of the monarchy, they have never defeated us; do you think they can now? Here, you know it well here. Remind them of the name ‘Kirundo'” he said, making a veiled reference to the origins of Kirundo, formerly known as Muharuro. Online sources suggest that the name “Kirundo” is linked to the horrific legacy of a battle in 1763, in which piles of Rwandan corpses were left behind after a fierce conflict.
The president’s words also touched upon the tragic events unfolding in eastern DRC, where brutal massacres have left thousands of people dead in the ongoing conflict between Congolese forces and the M23 rebel group, which is allegedly backed by Rwanda. Frustrated by the atrocities, President Ndayishimiye told the population in Kirundo, “You will not be alone. All of us, even those from Nyanza-Lac on the Tanzanian border [in the south], will be here. All of us, all Burundians, will not accept to die like the Congolese. People being slaughtered like goats while people are watching?”
These remarks come as violence continues to escalate in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels have seized control of Goma in North Kivu. Fierce fighting has resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, with thousands more injured and displaced, according to news reports.
President Ndayishimiye’s statement further escalates concerns about regional tensions, as he recently labeled Rwanda as “a regional threat” in his New Year’s speech to Burundi’s diplomatic corps. He also raised alarm over the possibility of a broader regional war, urging the international community to take the situation seriously. “We know their plan. They are preparing something against Burundi. Fortunately, Burundians are aware. If the international community lets this happen, we will not stand idly by,” he said.
In response to the growing instability in the region, the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) stepped in to mediate the conflict, holding a joint summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday, where they called for an immediate ceasefire and direct talks between the warring parties. Burundi was represented by its Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca.
However, the offensive continued. On Tuesday, the M23 rebel group issued a threat to advance towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu region, citing a “dangerously deteriorating” situation. This comes as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) rejected calls for direct negotiations with the rebels.
If the M23 were to capture Bukavu, it would mark a significant and unprecedented expansion of their territorial control, further undermining the authority of the government in Kinshasa, following the fall of Goma, the region’s largest city, to the rebels in late January, as Reuters reported.
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