By Joshua Illya
Burundi officially sealed its northern border with Rwanda this week, taking this action nearly two weeks after accusing its neighbor of providing assistance to rebels responsible for attacks on Burundian soil.
The focal point of the accusations revolves around the RED-Tabara group, which allegedly orchestrated an assault on December 22 near the western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resulting in the tragic death of 20 individuals, including women and children.
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has directly implicated Rwanda in supporting the RED-Tabara rebels, a claim vehemently denied by the Rwandan government.
In response to the border closure, Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, expressed regret, highlighting concerns about the unilateral decision’s impact on the free movement of people and goods between the two nations.
The RED-Tabara group, based in the eastern DRC province of South Kivu, has been active since 2011 and is currently recognized as the most formidable among Burundi’s rebel forces, boasting an estimated 500 to 800 fighters.
The escalating tensions between Burundi and Rwanda raise broader questions about regional stability and the complex dynamics influencing these geopolitical developments.
