Rwanda, Burundi Hold Security Talks to Ease Rising Tensions

Kigali, December 18, 2025 - Rwanda and Burundi have taken a tentative step toward de-escalating mounting bilateral tensions, with security officials from both countries holding a meeting over the weekend, according to Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe.

The talks come against the backdrop of years of strained relations between the two neighbors. Since 2015, Burundi has repeatedly accused Rwanda of sheltering individuals involved in a failed coup attempt and of supporting the RED-Tabara rebel group-allegations Kigali has consistently denied.

Tensions have intensified since early 2024, when Burundi closed all its land borders with Rwanda. Burundian authorities, including President Évariste Ndayishimiye, have on several occasions claimed in international media that Rwanda was planning an attack on Burundi, assertions Rwanda firmly rejects.

Kigali, for its part, has accused Burundi of aligning itself with the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), which Rwanda says maintains links with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group Kigali designates as terrorist.

Relations have further deteriorated amid the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, particularly as the city of Uvira remains under the control of the AFC/M23 movement. Burundi has accused Rwanda of shelling its territory during the fighting, claims Rwanda denies.

In an interview with France 24 on December 18, Minister Nduhungirehe dismissed the allegations as unfounded, asserting that it was Burundi that carried out shelling in eastern Congo.

“That’s false. It was actually shells from Burundi that hit the city of Kamanyola in Congo, causing refugees, which triggered movements of refugees to Rwanda, in Bugarama,” he said.

Asked about diplomatic engagement between Kigali and Bujumbura, Nduhungirehe confirmed that security services from both countries met over the weekend to discuss ways to defuse tensions.

“Regarding Burundi, a meeting was held this weekend between the security services of both states to discuss de-escalation. And we believe that if these meetings continue, we will reach an agreement on a way forward for regional de-escalation and the reactivation of peace agreements,” he stated.

On relations with the DRC, Nduhungirehe said discussions are being conducted within the framework of the Washington agreements, which established a joint security coordination mechanism tasked with dismantling the FDLR and addressing Rwanda’s security concerns.

Although a peace agreement was signed on December 4, 2025, Kigali argues that continued military operations by the DRC have hampered its implementation. According to Rwandan officials, the FDLR-estimated to comprise between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters-has fought alongside FARDC and more than 20,000 Burundian soldiers against the M23.

Minister Nduhungirehe added that upcoming joint security meetings will focus on dismantling the FDLR and paving the way for the lifting of Rwanda’s security measures, signaling cautious optimism for a broader regional de-escalation.