Burundi denies sheltering militants following gunmen attack on Rwandan military position

Burundi on Saturday said the central African nation “cannot be a sanctuary” for armed elements that disturb the security of neighboring countries, in response to Rwanda’s statement saying gunmen from Burundi attacked Rwanda’s military position early Saturday.

Burundian soldiers work constantly to ensure that security is well guaranteed on its borders with neighboring countries, the Burundian National Defense Force said in a statement.

The Rwandan military said earlier Saturday that its military position at Ruheru sector in southern Rwanda was attacked at about 12:20 a.m. (2220 GMT Friday) by unidentified gunmen who “originated in and retreated back to Burundi through the Burundi Defense Force position at Gihisi in Bukinanyana commune, Cibitoke Province.”

In another updated statement, the Rwandan military said the assailants were about 100 gunmen heavily armed with machine guns, rocket launchers and grenades, and the dry rations they left behind are marked with the name of the Burundian armed forces.

Four attackers were killed and three were captured, while three Rwandan soldiers sustained minor injuries, according to the Rwandan military.