Rwanda severed diplomatic relations with Belgium on March 17, accusing the European nation of “consistently undermining” the country during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The dispute centres around Belgium’s leadership in urging European nations to impose sanctions on Rwanda for its alleged support of the M23 rebel group, which is at the heart of the conflict in eastern DRC. In response to the diplomatic fallout, Kigali has given Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country.
The Rwandan government has strongly denied accusations from the United Nations and the United States that it has supported the M23 group, insisting that Belgium has been manipulating international forums to portray Rwanda in a negative light. In a statement issued on Monday, Kigali accused Brussels of engaging in “neo-colonial delusions” and attempting to destabilise both Rwanda and the wider region. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot labelled Rwanda’s decision as “disproportionate” and suggested it showed the country’s reluctance to engage in dialogue when disagreements arise.
The tensions come amidst a broader international response to the conflict, with the European Union on Monday sanctioning three Rwandan military commanders and the head of Rwanda’s state mining agency for alleged ties to the M23. The sanctions are part of an ongoing effort by the international community to address the destabilising influence of the conflict, which has seen significant loss of life and displacement in eastern DRC. Despite these measures, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has vowed to confront Belgium and maintain Rwanda’s sovereignty in the face of external pressure.