“We do not want to renew relations with a country that uses hypocrisy. A cunning country. It is out of the question that there is a country saying it wants to make friends with Burundi, when it put a thorn in our side so that we may step on it". These are the terms used by Burundian President General Evariste Ndayishimiye, also known as General Neva, the nickname during his freedom fighter days, to summarize the relations between Burundi and a country he did not name, but is an open secret. Everybody AfroAmerica Network sources talked to, including Rwandan and Burundian sources within the Government and military leadership, stated it was Rwanda, the Burundi neighbor to the North.
President Evariste Ndayishimiye was delivering a speech outlining his government policy and programs in Busoni commune, Kirundo Province, Northern Burundi, a region close to the Rwandan border.
Burundian Refugees Held Hostages by Rwandan Government, Said President Ndayishimiye
President Ndayishimiye expressed his concerns that some refugees in Rwanda wish to return, but that the Rwandan authorities have denied them the chance. According to sources close to the Government of Burundi, thousands of Burundian refugees, among around 80,000 in Mahama camp in Rwanda, have written a petition to President Ndayishimiye asking his help to get repatriated to Burundi. The Rwandan Government has stated that only 331 Burundian refugees have expressed their desire to return and that it was ready to facilitate their return, if President Ndayishimiye cooperates.
However, President Ndayishimiye has used specific terms to describe the situation of Burundian Refugees in Rwanda and the responsibility of the Rwandan Government to hold them hostages. Some Refugees are in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but the Burundian Government has maintained that these are are part of the refugees in Rwanda sent there for military training, in preparation for invading Burundi (see AfroAmerica Network: Rwandan Defence Forces Getting Ready for War Against Burundi and Uganda, according to Sources within Rwandan Military Intelligence.)
“The countries in which they (the Burundian refugees) find themselves have taken them as hostages. However, no country can deny someone the opportunity to return home when they want to. They have taken them hostage, we ask these countries to let them return to their homes... I take this opportunity to appeal to these Burundians, because I know they follow the news in Burundi. If they happen to be refused entry, they can protest in defense of their rights. We are ready to receive them. We will see who dares to prevent them from crossing the border. Burundi is at peace and security. There is no famine, we do not want children in this country starving, homeless and in turmoil, while their compatriots here are doing wonderfully, "President Ndayishimiye said, in Kirundi, the local langage to an enthusiastic rally.
Historically Bad and Deteriorating Relations and Manipulations.
In an interview with the Rwandan local media on July 10, 2020, Rwandan President General Paul Kagame expressed his intentions to work closely and amend the broken relations with the new Burundi government led by General Evariste Ndayishimiye. But, soon the statements by Rwandan Paul Kagame were quickly dismissed by independent observers and critics, pointing to the fact that the Rwandan government did not send any official envoy to the burial ceremony of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza or the swearing-in ceremony of the current President General Evariste Ndayishimiye. Even more shocking, it was found out that Rwanda Military leadership has set up a Burundi Desk within the Rwandan Defence Forces High Command, to be led by two key former Burundian military leaders to lead the Burundi Desk (see AfroAmerica Network: Burundi Desk in Rwandan Defence Forces Led by Pierre Buyoya and General Jean Bosco Kazura )
The relations between the two neighbors have continued to deteriorate following the 2015 failed coup in Burundi by actors suspected of being supported by the Rwandan military. However, even before, the relations were poisoned. The current leaders of Rwanda are accused of being behind the 1994 assassination of Burundi President Ntaryamiye and his closest aides. (see AfroAmerica Network: Gen Kagame Assassinated Presidents Habyarimana and Ntaryamira, Testifies Gen Kayumba Nyamwasa For French Prosecutors
Rwandan Government Accused by Burundi Government of Sheltering Burundi Rebels
During his speech, Burundian President Ndayishimiye indicated that he is aware of the plight of Burundians who are in exile and that his government can, in no way rejoice, to see any Burundians "wandering" and hence, his government will do everything to repatriate them.
However he added: “We know the reason this country took these refugees: it is to serve as a shield for those who have committed the irreparable thing in our country .... A good neighbor should send them back to us so that they be judged and we can punish criminals among them. If they want a friendship with Burundi, send them first.""
According to the Burundian Head of State, the only way to appease the victims of acts committed by these "criminals" is to impose punishment on those prosecuted by Burundi.
@AfroAmerica Network
