The Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) handed over 19 Red Tabara fighters to the Burundian army, Forces de Défense Nationale du Burundi (FDNB) on Friday 30 July as part of the strengthening of good neighbourly relations.
Brigadier General Vincent Nyakarundi, head of the Rwandan military intelligence services handed over the 19 RED TABARA fighters to the Burundian side represented by Colonel Ernest Musaba, his Burundian counterpart. This gesture was made at the Nemba border in order to improve relations between the two neighbouring countries.
“The handing over of the 19 Burundian fighters today is in line with the commitment of Rwanda’s leadership to ensure lasting peace, stability and security in the region and to strengthen good neighbourly relations,” said Brigadier General Vincent Nyakarundi.
This action was facilitated by the Enlarged Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. It was observed by the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region.
The EJVM Commander, Colonel J. Miranda, praised the goodwill and commitment shown by the two countries, Rwanda and Burundi. “The handing over and taking back of these fighters is a sign of collaboration to achieve peace and security in the region,” he said.
These fighters belonging to this armed group, Red Tabara, were handed over to the Burundian army along with small arms and other equipment. 17 Kalashnikov rifles, a machine gun, a rocket launcher, two Motorola radios, ammunition, a computer, and mobile phones were recovered by the Burundian army.
They had been apprehended in September 2020 while crossing into Rwanda along the border section in Nyungwe forest, Ruheru sector of Nyaruguru district. Rwanda had informed the Joint Expanded Verification Mechanism (JEVM) before detaining them.
Gérard Rugambwa
