Rwanda has cut diplomatic ties with Belgium and ordered all Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, escalating tensions between the former colonial power and the East African nation.
The diplomatic rupture centers on Belgium’s criticism of Rwanda’s alleged role in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It comes a day after President Paul Kagame accused Belgium of advocating for international sanctions against his country over the conflict in eastern DRC.
In a statement released Monday, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation accused Belgium of “consistently” undermining Kigali “during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo” (DRC), firmly declaring that diplomatic relations would be severed “effective immediately.”
“The Government of Rwanda today notified the Government of Belgium of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, effective immediately,” it said.
“Rwanda’s decision has been taken after careful consideration of several factors, all linked with Belgium’s pitiful attempts to sustain its neocolonial delusions.”
Belgium has however, responded swiftly, with Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announcing on social media platform X that Rwandan diplomats would no longer be welcome in Belgium.
“Belgium regrets the decision of Rwanda to cut off diplomatic relations with Belgium and to declare Belgium’s diplomats persona non grata,” Prevot stated.
“This is disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda they prefer not to engage in dialogue.”
The conflict has intensified in recent months as the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group launched a major offensive in the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC, capturing two major cities in a rapid advance.
A United Nations report has linked Rwanda to the M23 group, claiming that Kigali controls the rebels and has deployed approximately 4,000 soldiers in the DRC. Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that it faces threats from ethnic Hutu fighters operating in the DRC.
The Congolese government reports that at least 7,000 people have died during the offensive and has called for international intervention. Despite the diplomatic tensions, both the DRC government and M23 rebels have agreed to send delegations to peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Angola.
This diplomatic crisis marks a significant rupture in the complex historical relationship between Rwanda and Belgium, which was Rwanda’s colonial ruler until independence in 1962.
