Rwanda dismisses Burundi's accusations of involvement in grenade attacks
Sunday, May 12, 2024
A view of Burundi's closed border at Nemba one stop border post. Rwandan government has refuted accusations from Burundi linking it to involvement in the grenade attacks. Mugwiza

The Rwandan government has refuted accusations from Burundi linking it to involvement in the grenade attacks that occurred in Bujumbura on Friday, May 10.

The attacks, which reportedly injured close to forty people, took place during the evening hours near a bus park.

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After the incident, Burundian Police and the country’s interior ministry came out to accuse the Rwandan government of complicity in the attacks, suggesting collaboration with Red Tabara, a rebel group long accused by Burundi of receiving support from Rwanda.

"Thirty-eight people were injured, five of them seriously," the ministry's spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye told reporters.

"There were no deaths," he added, as quoted by AFP.

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In a statement issued on Sunday, May 12, the Office of the Government Spokesperson firmly rejected the claims.

"There is something clearly wrong going on with Burundi for its government to accuse Rwanda for recent grenade explosions in Bujumbura, a situation we have absolutely no connection with, and have no reason to be involved in,” the statement read.

"Burundi has a problem with Rwanda, but we have no problem with Burundi. We call on Burundi to solve its own internal problems and not associate Rwanda with such despicable matters,” it further read.