While speaking at a gathering at the Vision de Jésus-Christ Church on March 16, 2025, President Ndayishimiye stated that Rwanda was the root cause of the ethnic tensions in Burundi, which began in 1959, and also in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1996.
He said, “You know, in Burundi, we were brought problems in 1959, stemming from what happened in Rwanda. The Congolese also faced issues after 1996, which were brought by what happened in Rwanda. Why should our countries face all these issues coming from Rwanda? They too need to solve their problems and stop interfering with ours. In Burundi, we have no Hutu or Tutsi, we are all Burundians. If others focus on ethnicity, that is their concern.”
In an interview with IGIHE, Bamvuginyumvira explained that the ethnic divisions, hatred, and violence in the region were caused by colonial powers, particularly the Europeans, who spread the “poison” of ethnicity, but that the people of Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC failed to recognize it.
'I think what he said was inaccurate because when you look at the history of Burundi, Rwanda, and Congo, what connects us is the suffering we endured, mostly due to ethnic divisions, but those divisions were imposed on us by the Europeans, who misinterpreted them. Once they left, we didn’t realize the poison of ethnicity they left behind,' he said.
Bamvuginyumvira emphasized that the ethnic conflict in the region was planted by Belgian colonizers, pointing out that this issue is only present in the three countries that were colonized by Belgium, while other countries in the region, like Tanzania, remain peaceful.
'What we share in these three countries is that we were ruled by the Belgians. It is impossible to explain why only three countries in the region have refugees. Why are there no refugees from Tanzania in Burundi? None in Congo, none in Rwanda?'
To address the issue of refugees from these three countries, Bamvuginyumvira suggested that Burundi, Rwanda, and the DRC should hold a comprehensive meeting to discuss the repatriation of refugees.
In front of the church congregation led by Pastor Isidore Mbayahaga, President Ndayishimiye denied any intention to exterminate the Tutsis, as has been alleged in connection with the FDLR rebel group and the DRC government.
Bamvuginyumvira pointed out that some individuals in the Burundian government cooperate with the FDLR, a group composed of individuals responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi, and that they have a shared agenda to topple the Rwandan government.
“Ndayishimiye is a member of the CNDD-FDD party, and it has been evident that some of the leaders around him work with the FDLR, which fled to Congo. They share weapons in exchange for gold to assist them in returning to Rwanda. This is documented,” he said.
Bamvuginyumvira also revealed that there are reports that the FDLR operates in the Kibira Forest and sometimes clashes with the Burundian military, searching for food in areas like the Mabayi Commune in Cibitoke Province.
“When this happens and the President makes these statements, it’s contradictory. His words and actions don’t align,” he noted.
Regarding President Ndayishimiye’s claim that there are no ethnic divisions in Burundi, Bamvuginyumvira argued that while the President may publicly deny it, his government still operates under an ethnic system in secret, undermining Tutsi Burundians.
He stated, “Ethnicity is considered in secret because they say, 'Let’s maintain Hutus in power.’ Hutu leaders.’ You hear them say, 'The Tutsis want to take over, the Rwandans want to help the Tutsis.’ This is an evident propaganda. Some Burundians can say, ‘It’s true,’ or others may disagree.”
Bamvuginyumvira also commented on the closure of Burundi’s border with Rwanda in January 2024, stating that it hurt the people of Burundi, explaining that no country benefits from a strained relationship. He suggested that dialogue should continue to resolve the conflict.
“We were called Ruanda-Urundi during colonial times, and the capital was Bujumbura. Why can’t we continue this history in a positive way and maintain a good relationship? Why should we fight? It’s foolish because Rwanda gains nothing from a breakdown in relations with Burundi, and I don’t see any benefit for Burundi in not having good relations with Rwanda.”
Before Ndayishimiye’s remarks, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, had stated that both countries were continuing talks and were on the right path to resolving the tensions.
Minister Nduhungirehe made this statement after the Rwandan and Burundian intelligence delegations met twice for discussions in both countries.
Former Burundian vice president has rejected Ndayishimiye’s claim that Rwanda is responsible for ethnic divisions.
