Burundi leveled accusations on Monday against the primary rebel faction, RED-Tabara, asserting their involvement in a lethal assault on a grieving family. The incident, occurring late on Sunday in the Buringa region near Bujumbura, claimed the lives of nine individuals, including a soldier. Simultaneously, the rebels asserted responsibility for killing six troops.
In an official statement, the presidency labeled the assault a “cowardly attack,” detailing that the armed RED-Tabara insurgents targeted a mourning family, resulting in the death of nine people, including six women and a soldier. Additionally, five individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
The presidency further alleged that the rebels pillaged an office affiliated with the ruling CNDD-FDD party and accused Rwanda of supporting the insurgents. RED-Tabara, considered the most active rebel group in Burundi with an estimated 500 to 800 fighters, claimed responsibility for the attack on a platform formerly known as Twitter.
They reported killing six soldiers, demolishing the CNDD-FDD office, and confiscating weapons and ammunition. The group supported their claim with a photograph depicting a damaged building adorned in the ruling party’s colors.
A confidential security source informed AFP that, under anonymity, the rebels had killed 10 civilians, five soldiers, and used rocket launchers to flatten the ruling party’s office.
This incident follows Burundi’s prior accusation against RED-Tabara for an attack on December 22 near the DRC border, resulting in 20 casualties. RED-Tabara acknowledged responsibility on social media, clarifying that it targeted a border post, claiming to have killed nine military personnel and a policeman.
Despite allegations of civilian casualties and accusations of foreign support, RED-Tabara insisted on social media that it operates independently, supported solely by the Burundian people.
The rebel group has been implicated in deadly violence in Burundi since 2015, with sporadic activity, including attacks in September 2021. Tensions between Burundi and Rwanda persist, with Burundi closing its border and accusing Rwanda of supporting rebels, a charge that Kigali vehemently denies.
