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Rwanda-Burundi relations face further strain

While relations between the two countries deteriorated further after Burundi accused Rwanda of hosting failed coup leader Gen Godefroid Niyombare, Kigali has also accused Bujumbura of detaining its citizens on suspicion of espionage. PHOTOS | FILE

Diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and Burundi appeared set to escalate as the two countries once again traded accusations over the former’s alleged backing of Burundian opposition members who are allegedly plotting to overthrow the Bujumbura government.

While by press time Kigali had yet to retaliate for Bujumbura’s decision this week to expel Désiré Nyaruhirira, the first counsellor at the Rwandan embassy in Burundi — who has served the mission for the past 10 years — for allegedly creating insecurity in the country, — relations between the two countries are expected to worsen in the coming months.

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