Tensions between Burundi and Rwanda have escalated dramatically in recent days after Burundi deployed large numbers of troops and heavy weapons near the border. Local communities report heightened fear and uncertainty, while regional and international observers express concern over a potential conflict in the Great Lakes region.
According to reliable sources from Burundi’s security forces, troops have been stationed in Busoni Commune in Butanyerera Province, near the Gasenyi-Nemba border crossing.
A senior Burundian military officer told SOS Medias, “Heavy weapons have been deployed to prevent any incursion from Rwanda.”
In Busoni, military and police vehicles have been transporting soldiers and weaponry to installations including Camp 411 in Mutwenzi. Patrols in the border area have intensified, and members of the ruling CNDD-FDD youth wing, Imbonerakure, are visible on streets, particularly during nighttime hours.
Local residents describe a growing climate of fear. A resident of Munzenze said, “They order us to return home before 2 a.m. Nothing is written down, but everyone knows what it means.” Many live in constant anxiety, fearing that hostilities could erupt at any moment.
To prepare for potential evacuation, residents now often sleep in clothes that allow them to flee quickly. Normal life in border towns has been heavily disrupted, with residents avoiding travel or outdoor activities after dark.
Burundi’s actions are linked to its belief that Rwanda supports the AFC/M23 coalition, which recently advanced in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Forces from the DRC, along with Wazalendo and FDLR fighters, lost significant territory in the Rusizi Basin, prompting Burundi to brace for possible confrontation.
In Kamanyola, near the Bugarama border, heavy weapons fired by Burundian forces caused confusion among AFC/M23 fighters. This led them to launch an offensive to capture areas in the Rusizi Basin, extending to Uvira city on Lake Tanganyika.
At Mukoni military base in Buhumuza Province, reports indicate that over the past two weeks, 30 trucks delivering heavy weapons were offloaded over three days. Burundi has also purchased large quantities of heavy arms and combat drones, signaling preparation for potential large-scale hostilities.
The show of military strength near the border has prompted authorities to impose curfews and other informal restrictions on local populations, further affecting daily life and local economies.
Security analysts warn that deploying troops and heavy weapons near the Rwandan border could have serious implications for both countries. Experts note that this could escalate tensions in a region already fraught with conflicts involving DRC, Burundi, and Rwanda.
“This move is meant to demonstrate power and counter the advances of AFC/M23, but it risks sparking wider conflict,” said a regional security expert.
The United Nations and other international partners continue to monitor the situation closely, urging dialogue over military confrontation.
