Burundi has closed its border with Rwanda and deported Rwandans in response to suspicions that Rwanda is housing and supporting rebels who have previously invaded the country.

While meeting with security officials in Kayanza province near the Rwandan border, Burundi’s Internal Minister, Martin Niteretse, announced that the country was suspending diplomatic ties with Rwanda, closing their border, and deporting Rwandan citizens as a response to the latter’s support for a rebel group that has been attacking Burundi.

“Paul Kagame is a bad neighbor. We have suspended all relations with him until he comes to his senses. He is harboring criminals who are destabilizing Burundi. All the borders are closed. We don’t need Rwandans here, and even those who were on our territory have been chased out,” Niteretse said.

The adjournment of relations between the two East African countries comes after a speech by Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye in December 2023, where he accused Rwanda of aiding rebels known as RED-Tabara, which Burundi considers a terror group.

The RED-Tabara rebel group claimed responsibility for a December 2022 attack in Vugizo, Burundi, near the Burundi-DRC border that killed at least 20 people, including security officials, with the majority of them being civilians.

However, Rwanda has since denied Ndayishimiye’s claims. The Burundian officials did not disclose when the Burundi-Rwanda border would reopen.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said in a statement that Burundi’s decision was unfortunate and violated the East African Community’s principles of regional cooperation.

The RED-Tabara rebel group first appeared in 2011 and has been accused of a twine of attacks in Burundi since 2015.