February 12, 2016•Update: February 17, 2016
KIGALI, Rwanda
The Rwandan government has announced that it will relocate the Burundian refugees “to third countries” just two days after the U.S. accused Kigali of trying to “destabilize” neighboring Burundi.
In the statement released Friday, the foreign minister, Louise Mushikiwabo said: "For Rwanda, the growing risks to our national security from the Burundian impasse and misunderstandings in our foreign relations are unacceptable.”
“Experience in the Great Lakes is that the long-term presence of refugees so close to their country of origin carries considerable risks for all involved,” Mushikiwabo added.
On Wednesday, the U.S. accused Rwanda of destabilizing troubled Burundi by recruiting refugees for attacks on the government.
"We have seen a number of reports from our colleagues in the field that suggest the Rwandan government has been involved in destabilizing activities in Burundi," Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. assistant secretary for African affairs said Wednesday.
It was the first time the U.S. government criticized the Kigali government for the Burundian crisis.
Burundi has been gripped by instability since April when Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would run for a third term as president.
He survived a coup attempt in May, and secured a third term in disputed elections in July. He has been in power since 2005.
According to the UN, at least 3,496 people have been arrested in relation to the political crisis in the country.
The worst spout of violence occurred on Dec. 11 when 87 people were killed in clashes in Bujumbura.
Over 218,000 Burundians are now refugees in neighboring countries within the East African region.
