Defence minister explains factors behind violence

Burundi’s Defence Minister Colonel Cyrille Ndayirukiye told a press conference on Wednesday that the increase in violence in the eastern part of the country, in Bujumbura-Rural province and in the capital is “deplorable”. He said the peace process was one factor that had led to the current situation, explaining “it was foreseeable that rebel groups would increase the violence towards the end of the peace process so that they regain lost ground and time”.

He cited the “prevailing situation in the sub region” as being another factor, adding that the situation in Burundi was “strongly influenced” by the evolution of the situation in the DRC. “You have seen that the Lusaka peace process is not making any headway,” he noted. “The Congolese situation has created opportunities for the rebels on the eastern part of our borders.” “Rebel cross-border movements between Burundi and Tanzania have increased despite all the efforts we have made with that country’s senior officials to find a solution,” he added.