
Burundi: Red-Tabara – Resistance pour un Etat de Droit (Red-Tabara) – Communique (03.01.2024)







Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has accused Kigali and the Rwandan Government for aiding, supporting, funding and training Burundian rebels who is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) specificially the Rebel Group called RED-TABARA. That’s an huge accusation and you need some weight to come with it.
This is a bold claim and accusation. Even if the Rwandan authorities and army has been supportive of other proxies in the DRC. That is well-known in 2023 and isn’t a shocker. This is well-known and isn’t even that superficial. Therefore, the idea that the RPF and RDF would support a militia or a rebel group in the DRC. That sound about right, right?
Well, in this regard it is questionable because of the ties and the history of the Red Tabara. Red Tabara that was one out of two rebel groups that got started after the failed coup d’etat in 2015. The Red Tabara is also been claimed to be the military arm of the Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD Part), which happens to be an opposition party in Burundi. Again, not connected to Rwanda.
The leader of the group back in 2016 was Major General Biremba Melchiade. The Chief of Staff, which have been seldom interviewed. The one interview he did he wasn’t saying much of significance in 2016. However, he said they bought weapons on the “black market” and their objective is to set up a “transitional government” and “organize credible, free, transparent and democratic elections”. That he said to the Jeune Africa telephone interview in February of 2016, which isn’t much of news. Nevertheless, there is no association with outsider there either.
That’s why the President is bold when saying Kigali is sponsoring and aiding Red-Tabara now. When we know they are already found of supporting proxies in the DRC. It isn’t like Rwanda is a saint on this matter and doesn’t have blood on their hands. Regardless of that, in this instance we have to act with more caution.
This is because, these accusations are getting old. Especially, when there is no meat brought to the table. Neither did the President specifically state how and why. There is a need for evidence and proof of it. That’s why the UN Experts Reports to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) are so revealing, as they have the bills, the proof and sometimes the transactions too. Which shows what went down and how a proxy is aided across the borders into the DRC. That’s what Bujumbura needs to prove now.
Bujumbura needs to show Kigali the proof. I need to see proof. Until now, the Red-Tabara has been an outfit by Burundian and for Burundians. It wouldn’t be out of ordinary if Kigali sponsored it, but we still need tangible evidence for it. Not just hearsay and accusations. Especially, when everything pins back to an open rebellion against the CNDD-FDD and Nkurunziza. This is why it exists and now it comes back to haunt the ruling regime of Burundi.
Until proven otherwise, I need more to say yes. Because, there is more at play here. Easier to blame the neighbour for own failures, than accepting it yourself. The insurgency is more feasible if someone else is behind it. Not just mere rebels with a cause, but rebels with an army behind it. That’s why the President wants it this way and I don’t blame him. He wants to look better and be prestigious. However, he has failed as much as his predecessor in this matter.
Red-Tabara continues to live and be able to cause bloodshed. That’s because the authorities and the army aren’t able to contain them. They have enough manpower and weapons to damage in the Republic. That should be a worry for the President. Peace.










“Corneil Naanga’s political-military movement includes 17 political parties and 3 political groups, with armed groups starting from Ituri via North Kivu, South Kivu, Maniema, the eastern province up to the level of Katanga. From #M23 to #AFC” (Kivu Post, 15.12.2023)
The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) has been born this week in Nairobi, Kenya. That armed rebellion and formation of militias aren’t new or shocking for that matter. It is a risky move by the former CENI Chairman Corneil Naanga, as his betraying the Republic and joining foreign sponsored militias.
This is ending the time of the M23, as it joins several others to become the AFC. They will still do the same sort of business or warfare in the Kivu Regions. This is strengthening the M23 and their cause, as they have no other brothers in arms by their side. They are not alone on the battlefield and neither are lacking logistical support. As they can combine their efforts and cause more harm to the MONUSCO/FARDC efforts in the region.
The AFC consist of FRPI, Zaïre, M23, Twiraneho and Pareco to mention a few. When you see the merry men of warriors. You know the drill and the ideals here. They co-exists for a reason and now they are fighting for the same cause. They have a political leader who is well known, but not beloved. Therefore, he should worry about his future, as he has traded that over a short-sighted leadership role of a unified coalition of militias.
The DRC now have an operational coalition of militias and that’s concerning. They are now armed and ready to renegade in a joint venture. This is certainly to streamline and ensure they are all well equipped. These are done because of the profits, the looting and the ability to earn fortunes on occupying regions who happens to be mineral rich. These resources are skimmed, exported and never taxed, but the militias earning the profits of the exploitation of it. Therefore, certainly there are motives behind the action and this profiteering is obvious.
The bloody wars will not stop and the FARDC will be further stretched. The DRC government and their allies have to be worried here. They speak of furthering instability and insurgency. However, these militias has existed already, but now they work in coordination. There is several other militias and private armies, which is causing havoc in the Republic. Therefore, this war with profiteering is far from over.
AFC is just showing the opportunities and the manners of modern militias operate. They are trying to promote themselves and their mission. That’s to get sympathy and empathy… while that is far-fetched.
This creation will not serve anyone and be a reminder of foreign proxy militias within the DRC. The AFC is just a rebrand and restructuring the logistical operations of several outfits. That’s done with a reason and the origin of M23 isn’t changed by this. The foreign support of militias isn’t news and people know this. If it is Kigali or Kampala supporting armed commanders and offering training camps within their nations. Therefore, the AFC could easily be a change of name, but only to try to distance itself from the past of M23. We shouldn’t be shocked by it.
The ones that will lose out on this is Naanga whose selling his whole political career and will because a man of treason. His siding himself with people who lethally rebels against the state. They are doing this and his their big-man now. He will loose it all. All of his past will be dug up and the skeletons will be released on the public. Naanga will face the beast and he will not have the weapons to save himself or the ones close to him. Peace.