Tanzania "outraged" by claims of support for rebels

Tanzania has expressed outrage at what it calls "false reports" that Burundian rebels are using its territory to attack the transitional government in Bujumbura, state-run Radio Tanzania reported on Monday.

On Saturday, Burundi Defence Minister Cyrille Ndayirukiye accused Tanzania of hypocrisy regarding its role in brokering the Burundi peace talks - due to take place this week - and of tolerating Burundi rebels on Tanzanian territory. "This is a serious contradiction," Ndayirukiye told Radio Burundi. "This is the country which was the other day saying that it was assisting Burundi by bringing rebel groups to the ceasefire round table. At the same time, one can see at its border a military organisation, interaction between [Burundi] rebels and the [Tanzanian] population on the Tanzanian side."

The Tanzanian minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Jakaya Kikwete, told Radio Tanzania that these accusations had been made before. However, he said his government was "amazed" by claims by a section of the Burundi media, noting that Tanzania has had close contacts with the Burundi government for a long time.

Kikwete added that it was "laughable" to claim that Tanzania would aid Burundi rebels since it was bearing a huge burden of refugees from that country. He said aiding the conflict in Burundi was as good as creating insecurity in Tanzania.

Tanzania, home to some 800,000 Burundi refugees, has repeatedly denied allegations of being used as a Burundi rebel stronghold and recruitment site.