Burundi's President Évariste Ndayishimiye has sparked concerns of another conflict in East Africa by warning of a potential attack by Rwanda, citing "credible intelligence" of the neighboring country's plans. This development comes amid already heightened tensions in the region, with ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, and Ethiopia.

The Burundian president's warning is based on what he claims is evidence of Rwanda's intentions to destabilize his country, drawing parallels with Rwanda's alleged involvement in the DRC's conflict with M23 rebels. Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of sponsoring the M23 rebels, a claim Rwanda has repeatedly denied. The Burundian president has also pointed to an attempted coup in his country a decade ago, which he alleges was initiated by Rwanda.

In response to Ndayishimiye's claims, Rwanda has denied any plans to attack Burundi, stating that both countries are working together to secure their shared border, which has been closed for over a year. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has also denied any involvement with the M23 rebels or the resurged Red Tabara rebel group, which Ndayishimiye alleges is a proxy army supported by Rwanda to destabilize Burundi.

The rising tensions between Burundi and Rwanda are particularly concerning given the region's history of conflict and instability. The DRC's conflict with M23 rebels has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, while Sudan's war and tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have further destabilized the region. Any potential conflict between Burundi and Rwanda would only exacerbate the existing challenges faced by East Africa.

Despite the escalating tensions, Ndayishimiye has called for dialogue and peace, emphasizing that Burundians will not accept being killed like the Congolese. He has also demanded that Rwanda hand over those responsible for the 2015 coup attempt and bring them to justice, which he believes would resolve the issue.

The international community will be closely watching the situation unfold, given the potential for further destabilization in the region. The United Nations and other regional organizations may need to intervene to prevent a full-blown conflict between Burundi and Rwanda. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether diplomacy will prevail or if East Africa will be plunged into further chaos.

In the meantime, the people of Burundi and Rwanda, as well as the broader East African region, can only hope that their leaders will prioritize peace and dialogue over conflict and aggression. The consequences of another conflict in the region would be devastating, and it is imperative that all parties involved work towards a peaceful resolution.