RWANDA- The Goof Rwanda has disclosed that it has cut diplomatic ties with Belgium and ordered all of the of their diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, drawing a swift response from Brussels.
According to the statement from the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dated today March 17th 2025, Rwanda accused Belgium of consistently undermining Kigali during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The Government of Rwanda today notified the Government of Belgium of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, effective immediately,” The statement read in parts.
In response, Belgium said Rwandan diplomats were no longer welcome in their country.
Belgium Minister for Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot has said that they regret the decision of Rwanda to cut off diplomatic relations with Belgium and to declare Belgium’s diplomats persona non grata.
“This is disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda they prefer not to engage in dialogue,” Prevot said.
Rwanda’s decision to sever relationship with Belgium came a day after President Paul Kagame accused Belgium of advocating for international sanctions against his country over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group launched a large offensive in the mineral-rich east of the DRC earlier this year, taking two major cities in a lightning advance.
A UN report has said Kigali controls the group and has about 4,000 soldiers in the country, but the government in Kigali has denied involvement in the conflict and says it faces a threat from ethnic Hutu fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo government has since reported thst at least 7,000 people have died amid the offensive and has called for international action.
This diplomatic tension emerged as Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebels announced they would send delegations to peace talks, which are set to take place tomorrow in Angola.
Additional Reporting from Al Jazeera Africa Desk.
