KIGALI — A planned visit to Kigali by Révérien Ndikuriyo, president of Aigle Noir FC and Secretary-General of Burundi’s ruling CNDD-FDD party, reportedly sparked concerns and debate within the country’s top leadership.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye asked Ndikuriyo not to travel to Rwanda with his team, amid strained relations between Burundi and Rwanda.
Ndikuriyo had planned to accompany Aigle Noir FC to Kigali for a CAF Champions League qualifying match against Sudanese side Al-Hilal.
Ndikuriyo Had Planned to Travel to Kigali
On August 22, 2026, during a press conference on CNDD-FDD activities and other national issues, Ndikuriyo said he saw no reason why he should not travel to Kigali.
He explained that his planned visit was mainly intended to support the football club he leads, although he acknowledged that his official responsibilities could prevent him from making the trip.
“Do you think I am afraid of going to Kigali? […] Only work-related responsibilities could prevent me from going.”
However, people familiar with the matter said his plan to spend four days in Kigali raised concerns within the Burundian leadership.
It is reported that President Ndayishimiye questioned why the Secretary-General of the ruling party would need to spend several days in Rwanda accompanying his football team and subsequently asked him not to travel to Kigali.
A Football Trip Took on Political Significance
Although Ndikuriyo’s planned visit was officially linked to football, his influential position within Burundi’s political establishment gave the trip a broader political dimension.
Ndikuriyo is one of the most influential figures within CNDD-FDD.
Some members of the ruling party and opposition figures have described him as having significant support among the party’s grassroots structures and as someone capable of playing an important role in Burundi’s political landscape.
Against this background, a multi-day visit to Kigali by a senior ruling-party official could be interpreted as having political significance beyond a routine trip to support a football team.
Burundi-Rwanda Relations Remain Strained
The reported concerns come as relations between Burundi and Rwanda remain tense.
Burundi closed its land borders with Rwanda after accusing Kigali of supporting the RED-Tabara armed group, which opposes the government in Gitega. Rwanda has repeatedly denied the allegations.
The strained relations have affected cross-border movement, trade and other activities involving citizens of the two countries.
Analysts say that in such circumstances, a prolonged visit to Kigali by one of Burundi’s prominent political figures could attract attention beyond the sporting context.
Political Tensions Have Also Affected Sports
The strained relations between the two countries have also been reflected in sporting events.
In 2024, Burundi’s Dynamo BBC refused to play in jerseys carrying the “Visit Rwanda” branding during the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
The team had been required to wear the branding because “Visit Rwanda” was the tournament’s main sponsor, but Dynamo BBC declined.
The team was subsequently awarded a forfeit and was eventually eliminated from the competition.
The controversy surrounding Ndikuriyo’s planned trip also highlights how political tensions between Kigali and Gitega can continue to spill over into sports, rather than remaining confined to diplomatic relations.
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