Government denies misconduct by diplomat

Burundi government on Tuesday “categorically” denied accusations levelled against the former first secretary of its embassy in Kigali, Dieudonne Habarugira. In a statement from the foreign ministry broadcast by Burundi radio, the government said Habarugira “did not engage in activities incompatible with his diplomatic status”. “He only acted within the strict framework of his duties. In fact, the issuance of visa to a citizen does not constitute an offence at all; it is rather a consular duty,” it said. It said the Burundi embassy had never been furnished with any list of suspect Rwandan citizens by the relevant Rwandan authorities. “How can it be explained that the implicated Rwandan citizen had several times gone through the Rwandan border posts, in full view and with full knowledge of the Rwandan authorities, without questioning?”

“The Burundian government is surprised that the cooperation it expected in the normal framework of good relations with Rwanda did not happen. The matter should have been dealt with through better consultation, in greater detail and after bilateral consultation,” the statement said. It noted that in-depth discussions on the situation should take place “so as to dissipate any misunderstanding and preserve political and diplomatic serenity”.
Habarugira was declared persona non grata on 20 April and given 24 hours to leave the country by Rwandan authorities for allegedly issuing a visa to a Rwandan considered to belong to “negative forces”.