As the Great Lakes region continues to face a tense political and security climate, information from Burundi indicates that the country’s authorities have organized protests aimed at targeting Rwanda. These demonstrations are expected to take place in front of the embassies of various countries. The protests are scheduled for Saturday, December 20, and are reportedly being organized by supporters of the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
Reports from different sources say that preparations for the protests have already been intensified, with participants expected to demonstrate in front of the embassies of Rwanda, the United States, France, and Belgium. These countries are seen as having significant influence in international discussions and in the Washington Agreements, which are intended to restore peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Organizers of the protests plan to accuse Rwanda of “violating the Washington Agreements,” which were signed in June this year with the aim of halting fighting and establishing a political process leading to lasting peace. These accusations have once again fueled prolonged debates over the political interests of each country involved, as well as their respective roles in the conflict that has persisted for many years in eastern DR Congo.
Analysts who closely follow regional politics say that these protests may be linked to the close relationship between Burundi’s President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, and DR Congo’s President, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi.
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Some reports indicate that Burundi is seeking to present itself openly as a strong supporter of Kinshasa, especially at a time when Tshisekedi continues to accuse Rwanda of involvement in security problems in the eastern part of his country.
On the other hand, Rwanda has for some time accused Burundi of failing to comply with the resolutions of the Washington Agreements, particularly regarding the cessation of joint military operations involving the Congolese army and its allies.
Kigali argues that instead of acting as a mediator for peace, Burundi has chosen to become indirectly involved in the conflict, a move seen as contradicting the commitments made under international agreements.
Burundian forces are also said to be continuing to work alongside the Congolese army in military operations targeting AFC/M23, despite the Washington Agreements stipulating that hostilities must cease completely.
These operations are reportedly continuing even as heads of state, including President Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi, publicly reaffirmed their support for the agreements on December 4.
Another major source of concern is information suggesting that Burundi has turned one of its airports into a base used by the DR Congo government. This airport is reportedly being used for launching air strikes and for transporting weapons and ammunition to the battlefield in eastern DR Congo, making Burundi appear to be openly involved in the conflict rather than acting as a peace mediator.
Furthermore, there are reports of cooperation between Burundian forces and the FDLR, a group known to be composed of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Various sources claim that some FDLR fighters are being sheltered on Burundian territory, despite the Washington Agreements clearly stating that this group must be completely dismantled and must not receive support from any country.
