Rwanda dismisses UN report on training Burundi rebels

Rwanda has strongly dismissed allegations in a leaked UN report that it is training Burundian refugees planning to overthrow the government of President Pierre Nkurunziza.

The report has claimed that Rwanda was recruiting and training Burundian refugees in order to topple Nkurunziza's regime.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Louis Mushikiwabo, Rwanda foreign minister said that allegations were baseless and lies.

"Rwanda hosting a big number of Burundian refugees in various refugee camps in the country does not mean training them to overthrow Burundian government? We cannot chase them back to their home country if they are not sure of their safety. Burundian government is in better position to look for a possible lasting solution to bring peace in Burundi," she said.

Rwanda is currently hosting 74,526 Burundi refugees, with the majority being women and children.

On Thursday, Burundian foreign affairs minister accused Rwanda of continuing with military training for Burundian refugees living in refugee camps in Rwanda, violating international laws on refugees.

"We have evidence that Rwanda has continued to offer military training to Burundian refugees living in refugee camps in Rwanda," said Burundian External Relations and International Cooperation Minister Alain Aime Nyamitwe.

Burundi is facing a political turmoil since April 2015 when Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his bid for a third term in violation of the constitution, according to the opposition and the civil society.

This political crisis has led to the killing of over 400 persons and forced more than 220,000 Burundian people into exile in neighboring countries. Endit