Rwanda has officially severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing the European nation of consistently undermining it during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The tensions stem from Belgium’s vocal stance, urging European nations to sanction Rwanda for allegedly supporting the M23 rebel group, which has been central to the crisis in eastern DRC.
In a statement released on Monday, Rwanda accused Belgium of attempting to maintain “neo-colonial delusions” and claimed that Brussels has been mobilizing against Rwanda in international forums, spreading lies and manipulation to create an unjustified negative perception of the country. Rwanda also stated that Belgium had taken sides in the regional conflict, further straining their diplomatic relations.
In response, Belgium condemned Rwanda’s actions as “disproportionate” and indicated that it would respond by declaring Rwandan diplomats in Belgium “persona non grata,” a move that typically leads to the expulsion or withdrawal of diplomatic status.
This diplomatic fallout comes as the fighting between the M23 and DR Congo’s armed forces has escalated, resulting in significant loss of life—over 7,000 people killed this year alone, according to Congolese authorities. The UN has reported that more than 850,000 people have been displaced due to the conflict. The M23 has also seized control of key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, heightening concerns about the stability of the region.
Amidst these developments, international efforts to pressure Rwanda into withdrawing its alleged support for the M23 have intensified, with Britain cutting some of its aid to Rwanda and the UN Security Council demanding that both the M23 and Rwanda cease hostilities.
The diplomatic spat between Rwanda and Belgium reflects the broader geopolitical complexities surrounding the DRC conflict, with various international actors aligning with different sides of the debate over Rwanda’s role in the unrest.