Burundi insists on extradition of alleged coup plotters from Rwanda

By Maniraguha Ferdinand [caption id="attachment_96606" align="alignnone" width="789"] President Ndayishimiye during a press conference with journalists on 10th May 2022 in Gitega (Picture by Burundi state House)[/caption] President of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye has again insisted on his country’s will to normalize relations with neigbouring Rwanda, after the latter extradites alleged coup plotters. Rwanda received thousands of Burundian refugees after violence that followed a failed coup to topple the late president Nkurunziza Pierre in 2015. Some of alleged masterminds of the coup headed to Rwanda, running away from execution from the government. The then head of National Intelligence Service,  Major General,  Godefroid Niyombare, is among of those who are accused of ousting Nkurunziza . He fled to Rwanda as well. Addressing local journalists on Tuesday, 10^th May 2022, President Ndayishimiye praised the effort to normalize relations between both countries, but insisted on the quest to extradite coup plotters. Ndayishimiye stated  that the two countries have firm commitment to preserve their peaceful cohabitation and the extradition of the Burundian coup plotters would constitute one and significant milestone. In February 2022, Burundian minister of justice paid a courtesy call to her Rwandan counterpart. They held talks which tackled various issues concerning judiciary system of both countries, including alleged coup plotters.