In a recent tragic event in the Bubanza province of Burundi, rebels attacked the population, causing the death of nine people, including women and a soldier, and injuring five others. The attack, described as cowardly by government spokesperson Jérôme Niyonzima, was carried out by attackers armed with rifles.
The rebel group RED-Tabara claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had eliminated six Burundian soldiers. Based in the South Kivu province of the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, RED-Tabara fighters have already been accused of similar attacks, including that of December 22 that caused the death of ten security agents, according to the rebel group. or 20 people, mostly civilians, according to the Burundian government.
Burundian authorities accuse the Rwandan government of supporting RED-Tabara, denouncing harmful behavior. This escalation of tensions led Burundi to suspend diplomatic relations with Rwanda and close their border, in alleged response to Kigali’s alleged support for the rebel group.
The Burundian president, Évariste Ndayishimiye, directly accused the Rwandan authorities of complicity with RED-Tabara. In return, Rwandan officials refute these allegations, categorically denying any support given to the rebel group.
This tragic situation highlights the persistent regional tensions and security issues in the Great Lakes region. Local populations live in fear of attacks at any time, highlighting the urgency of finding peaceful solutions to ensure the stability and security of the population.
This incident also raises questions about diplomatic relations between countries in the region and the need for enhanced cooperation to effectively combat armed groups and promote peace and stability in the region.