Burundi Warns Rwanda: We Reserve Right of Self-defence |
By Our Correspondent,
BUJUMBURA Burundi
Burundi accused Rwanda
of sending troops earlier this month to attack one of its military positions
and pledged to “use legitimate defence” if its northern neighbour continues the
hostility.
Eight
Burundian soldiers were killed when gunmen attacked their camp close to the
Rwandan border on November. 16 this year.
The invaders retreated back into Rwanda after
the attack, Burundi said.
“Burundi
avails itself of this opportunity to warn Rwanda against these repetitive and
multifaceted attacks against Burundi and wants the international community to
take note,” the government’s spokesman, Prosper Ntahorwamiye, told reporters on
Thursday in Bujumbura.
He warned “In case of recidivism, the
government of the Republic of Burundi reserves the right of legitimate defence.”
The attackers overran Burundian military camp
in Mabayi commune, Cibitoke province, neighboring Rwanda. Reports said 8
soldiers were killed, and many others injured.
Since the attack, Burundians on social media
and other obscure sites have reported of the attack as extremely sophisticated.
An armed gang or rebel group couldn’t have had such capabilities, according to
reports.
Burundi reported past incidents of aggression
to the United Nations, the African Union and the East African Community but
none of the international organizations responded or censured Rwanda for the
alleged actions.
“If nothing
is done, such acts by Rwanda against Burundi constitute a threat to the peace
and security of the entire African Great Lakes region,” Ntahorwamiye said.
On April 13 this year, President Kagame hosted Burundian counterpart Pierre Nkurunziza in Huye district, bordering Burundi. It is the last time they ever met |
In rare pile up of pressure on
Rwanda, the Burundians say the Nov 16 attack was the ninth since 2015 when a
failed foup tried to oust President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Since 2015, Burundi has
repeatedly accused Rwanda of involvement in the 2015 coup.
Rwanda has ignored
Burundi’s accusations.
The Rwandan army’s spokesman, Innocent Munyengango, dismissed the allegation and asked Burundi for evidence. “If we were to do it, it would be in broad daylight,” he said by phone from the capital, Kigali. - Africa
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