Reports say Burundi has received first Drones Linked to Belgium
Unverified reports circulating in regional media claim that Burundi has received hundreds of military drones and other defense equipment, allegedly as part of a broader plan involving Belgium. The claims, if substantiated, could signal a significant escalation in already strained relations between Rwanda and its neighbors.
According to sources familiar with the matter, an initial batch of approximately 500 drones has reportedly arrived in Burundi. These include so-called “suicide drones,” larger unmanned aerial systems, and reconnaissance drones intended for intelligence gathering. The same sources allege that the deliveries are part of a wider package of up to 5,000 drones, along with air defense systems and heavy weaponry.
Witness accounts described military equipment being transported by truck convoys toward northern regions such as Muyinga and Kirundo, as well as toward Tanzania’s port of Tanga. However, these claims remain unverified by independent observers.
Political analysts suggest that the reported military buildup may also have domestic implications. President Évariste Ndayishimiye is said to be showcasing the equipment across the country, possibly as a demonstration of strength ahead of Burundi’s 2027 elections, where he is expected to seek a second term.
To date, the government of Burundi has not issued any official statement addressing the alleged arms deliveries or the purported involvement of Belgium. Similarly, no formal confirmation has emerged regarding any coordinated military plans targeting Rwanda.
Belgium, however, has firmly rejected the allegations. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot dismissed the reports as “false and baseless.”
“There has never been any transfer of weapons from Belgium to Burundi,” Prévot stated, adding that such claims are not new and often serve to inflame tensions or undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.
He emphasized that Belgium does not support a military solution to conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, advocating instead for political dialogue and peaceful resolution mechanisms.
