Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye addressed Rwanda, the DRC and the withdrawal of foreign forces during an interview in New York, amid continuing regional tensions over eastern DRC.
Tensions with Rwanda remain
Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is also the current chairperson of the African Union, gave an interview to France 24 on September 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. France 24 interview
During the interview, Ndayishimiye said that the threat of a possible Rwandan attack against Burundi “still exists.” He also said that, in his view, the Rwandan authorities had not been “honest” about the reasons for their presence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ndayishimiye referred to what he described as an “other hidden agenda” behind Kigali’s stated security concerns. These are the Burundian president’s claims and do not, by themselves, establish the existence of such an agenda.
Withdrawal of forces from eastern DRC
A significant part of the interview focused on the security situation in eastern DRC and efforts to end the fighting.
More than six months after the Washington agreements between Kinshasa and Kigali, Ndayishimiye said he had seen no “clear sign of disengagement” by Rwandan forces.
“If we really want peace in Congo, Rwanda should show itself positive regarding disengagement,” he said.
The Burundian president also argued that the separation of forces on the ground is necessary before a ceasefire can be consolidated.
At the same time, he confirmed that Burundian troops remain in the DRC, where Bujumbura says they were deployed at the request of the Congolese government.
The FDLR issue
The interview also addressed the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group of Rwandan origin operating in eastern DRC.
Kigali has for years identified the presence of the FDLR as one of its main security concerns. Ndayishimiye, however, challenged some of Rwanda’s explanations for its intervention in eastern DRC and argued that the FDLR does not provide the sole explanation for Rwanda’s presence there.
These positions reflect differing narratives among regional actors over the causes of the conflict and the roles of foreign forces and armed groups in eastern DRC.
Ndayishimiye’s role as African Union chair
Ndayishimiye currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the African Union. During the interview, he called for continued dialogue and also referred to mediation efforts by Qatar and the United States.
His comments come as several diplomatic processes seek to secure a lasting ceasefire and the disengagement of forces involved in the conflict in eastern DRC.
The role of Bujumbura remains linked to its own military presence in the DRC. The Burundian government says its forces were deployed at Kinshasa’s request, while Rwanda and other regional actors have raised concerns about aspects of that presence.
A region still under tension
Ndayishimiye’s remarks come amid continuing tensions between Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC.
In New York, Congolese authorities continued to accuse Rwanda of supporting the AFC/M23, while Kigali rejects the allegations and has repeatedly highlighted the security threat posed by the FDLR.
The France 24 interview illustrates the continuing differences among the main regional actors over responsibility for the conflict, the forces present on the ground and the conditions required for a lasting settlement.
Sources: France 24