Rwanda has called on Burundi to end its direct involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Rwandan government urged Burundi to refrain from participating in activities that could fuel the conflict, stressing the importance of supporting regional peace efforts and diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring stability in eastern DRC.
The call was made during discussions between the Rwandan delegation and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burundi.
In addition, Rwanda urged Burundi to intensify its efforts to improve the protection and promotion of human rights within the country, emphasizing the importance of strengthening respect for fundamental freedoms and ensuring that the rights of all citizens are upheld.
Rwanda also called on Burundi to implement concrete and credible reforms aimed at improving the human rights situation in the country. It urged Burundi to engage constructively in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process and cooperate fully with international human rights treaty bodies. Rwanda further encouraged Burundi to work closely with relevant regional human rights mechanisms and to resume dialogue with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Rwanda further urged Burundi to take concrete confidence-building measures aimed at strengthening public trust, expanding civic and political freedoms, and encouraging broader public participation in the country’s political life. It also called on the Burundian authorities to ensure that state institutions protect the rights, dignity, and fundamental freedoms of all Burundian citizens without discrimination.
