US accuses Rwanda of 'destabilizing activities' in Burundi

Washington (AFP) - The United States accused Rwanda Wednesday of involvement in "destabilizing activities" in strife-torn Burundi, including the recruitment of refugees for armed attacks against the government.

The US concerns were raised in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by two top diplomats, who cited reports from colleagues in the field that point to Rwandan involvement in the Burundi crisis.

"There are credible reports of recruitment of Burundian refugees out of camps in Rwanda to participate in armed attacks by Burundian armed opposition against the Burundian government," said Thomas Perriello, US envoy for the Great Lakes region of Africa.