Nduhungirehe reacted on May 24, 2026, following comments by Ambassador Ntahiraja that justified possible attacks on Rwanda.
Speaking during an interview with journalists, Ntahiraja suggested that he would see nothing unusual about Rwanda being attacked.
The remarks come amid growing allegations that Burundi is involved in plans to destabilize Rwanda alongside armed groups including the FDLR, a militia linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
When asked about reports of Burundi’s cooperation with opponents of the Rwandan government, the diplomat dismissed the concerns, suggesting that even if such cooperation existed, it would not pose a problem.
“Would it really be surprising if Rwanda were attacked by those opposed to the problems it is causing in the region?” Ntahiraja said.
He also referred to Rwandans who fled the country in 1996, claiming they would continue fighting for their country indefinitely.
However, his remarks overlooked the fact that refugee status for Rwandans who fled between 1959 and 1998 officially ceased on December 31, 2017.
The comments appeared to indirectly reference individuals accused of involvement in the Genocide against the Tutsi who fled justice and are reported to be regrouping with intentions of destabilising Kigali.
“Rwandans, because of the many wrongs committed by their government, should expect they could be attacked by fellow Rwandans they expelled,” he added.
Reacting on X, Nduhungirehe said the statements warrant serious concern, particularly because they were made by a senior diplomat expected to uphold diplomatic norms.
“That a Burundian ambassador accredited to the Kingdom of Belgium, despite being fully aware of diplomatic ethics, allows himself to make such inflammatory remarks against a neighboring state with complete impunity, while promising to support an attack by the genocidal FDLR against Rwanda, should raise serious concern,” Nduhungirehe wrote on Sunday.
Allegations involving Burundian leaders in plans targeting Rwanda are not new. In January 2024, President Évariste Ndayishimiye said in Kinshasa that he would support young Rwandans seeking to remove Rwanda’s government from power.
Rwanda strongly condemned the remarks at the time, describing them as a serious provocation.
Qu’un ambassadeur burundais accrédité au Royaume de Belgique se permette, malgré l’éthique diplomatique dont il est bien conscient, de faire impunément une telle déclaration incendiaire contre un État voisin, promettant de soutenir une attaque des génocidaires FDLR contre le… https://t.co/HLejPnT4yu pic.twitter.com/uXLOKOE44A— Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe (@onduhungirehe) May 24, 2026
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