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Rwanda announced on Monday, March 17, that it was severing diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing it of “bias” towards one side of the conflict in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Belgium expressed regret over this announcement, calling it disproportionate.
In a statement, the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, according to regional media: “The Government of Rwanda has informed the Government of Belgium of its decision to cut diplomatic relations, effective immediately.”
The statement demanded that Belgian diplomats leave Rwanda within 48 hours. The Rwandan government further claimed that Belgium has continuously undermined Rwanda long before the conflict in the DRC and has played a historically violent role.
Rwanda believes that “Belgium has taken a clear stance in a regional conflict and continues to systematically mobilize against it in various forums, using lies and manipulation to create an unjustified hostile opinion towards the country, with the aim of destabilizing not only Rwanda but also the region.”
The Kigali government justified its decision by stating its “commitment to protecting its national interests and the dignity of Rwandans, as well as defending the principles of sovereignty, peace, and mutual respect.”
Belgium expressed its “regret” over Rwanda’s decision to cut diplomatic ties and declare Belgian diplomats as “persona non grata.” According to Burkina Faso News, Belgium described the decision as “disproportionate” and a “rejection of dialogue” on Rwanda’s part when Brussels disagrees with it.
In response, Belgium stated that it would take similar measures: recalling the Rwandan chargé d’affaires and declaring Rwandan diplomats as “persona non grata,” as announced by the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation. Belgium also condemned all government cooperation agreements between the two nations.
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