Rwanda announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on Saturday, citing what it called the bloc’s bias amid a deepening regional rift over the M23 rebellion in eastern Congo.
Rwanda had been expected to assume the rotating chairmanship of the 11-member bloc during a summit in Equatorial Guinea. Instead, the role remained with Equatorial Guinea, prompting Kigali to accuse ECCAS of violating its rights and enabling what it called Congo’s “instrumentalization” of the organization.
“There is no justification for remaining in an organization that no longer adheres to its founding principles,” Rwanda’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
It is unclear when Rwanda’s withdrawal will formally take effect.
Tensions between Rwanda and Congo have soared this year following major advances by M23 rebels—who the U.N., Congo, and several Western governments say are backed by Rwanda. The rebels seized two major cities in eastern Congo earlier this year, leaving thousands dead and prompting fears of broader conflict.
Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi’s office said ECCAS had recognized Rwanda’s “aggression” and demanded the withdrawal of its troops.
Rwanda denies supporting M23, insisting its military presence near the border is defensive, targeting Hutu militias tied to the 1994 genocide.
Efforts to broker peace are ongoing, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and mediators from Qatar seeking a deal that could also unlock major Western investment in Congo’s vast mineral reserves, including lithium, cobalt, and gold.
Founded in the 1980s, ECCAS aims to promote regional cooperation on economic and security matters.
