In a move that has sparked outrage among Burundian citizens, Burundi ruler Evariste Ndayishimiye aka Gen. Neva has closed the Burundian side of the border with Rwanda. He has been lying his head off, that “Rwanda sponsors Red-Tabara!
“Neva”, the head of the Gitega junta, did this to please Congolese ruler Tshisekedi, but he has left Burundians grappling with the dire consequences. Among other things, the misguided move of “Gen. Neva” has jeopardized the meager economy of Burundi and, more importantly, the very survival of thousands of impoverished Burundians, all to serve the interests of someone like Tshisekedi!
Ironically, it is none other than Tshisekedi who harbors Burundian rebel groups RED Tabara, FOREBU, and FNL, all who use Congolese soil as a launching pad for attacks on Burundi.
To begin with, “Gen. Neva’s” antagonistic stance towards Rwanda is not a well-thought-out strategy, but rather a misguided attempt to divert attention from a sad reality: the involvement of Burundian troops in escalating the Congolese Crisis. Amid the conflict between the M23 Congolese mutineers and the coalition led by Tshisekedi, it has become evident that Burundian soldiers are tragically losing their lives in support of Tshisekedi’s forces. Additionally, recent developments on the ground suggest a more insidious motive behind General Neva’s actions—he received payment from Tshisekedi with a single objective: the expulsion of anything Tutsi from the DRC. Instead of fighting rebel groups like RED Tabara based in the DRC, which pose a direct challenge to his regime and pose a grave danger to Burundian citizens, General Neva persists in deploying the FDNB (Burundian Armed Forces) against the M23 Congolese rebels, who are fighting for the survival of their men and their families.
Secondly, General Neva’s decision to seal the Burundian side of the border couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Burundian population struggling with a scarcity of necessities. The Burundian economy is in ruin, with the national currency practically worthless—3121.89 Burundian Francs for a single euro. Over 80% of Burundians are living below the poverty line, facing 20% tax hikes and a public debt of 162.9 billion euros, primarily owed to China and Russia. Concerns are growing in these creditor nations regarding General Neva’s ability to repay loans, with discussions of potential confiscation actions targeting natural resources or profitable state-owned enterprises.
Thirdly, Neva’s widely unpopular decision is a powder keg that could detonate existing tensions within the country, potentially leading to a coup against his military junta. Hawks within the CNDD-FDD regime are demanding answers from General Neva about the inexplicable closure of the Rwandan border when RED Tabara is stationed on the Uvira plateau in South Kivu. With no coherent response, General Neva risks being ousted, pushing Burundi to the brink of implosion.
In summary, a trio of alarming truths emerges: firstly, the Neva military junta, in collaboration with Tshisekedi’s regime, stands as the primary catalyst for regional instability. Secondly, General Neva has taken actions that will undoubtedly exacerbate the already dire poverty situation in Burundi. Thirdly, the Burundian troops are unable to quell the resurgence of the RED Tabara guerrilla coming from South Kivu. Meanwhile, in North Kivu, they are dying like flies as they operate as mercenaries in support of Tshisekedi’s agenda. These situations on multiple fronts could potentially culminate in a violent overthrow of General Neva, either by the disgruntled military or an agitated Burundian populace.
ellenkampire