Rwanda has severed diplomatic relations with Belgium, giving Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country, Kigali’s foreign affairs ministry announced Monday.
In a statement, the ministry accused Belgium of persistent interference, citing its historical and ongoing actions against Rwanda, particularly in relation to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“Belgium has consistently undermined Rwanda, both well before and during the ongoing conflict in the DRC, in which Belgium has a deep and violent historical role, especially in acting against Rwanda,” the statement read.
The move follows Belgium’s decision to freeze aid and suspend trade agreements over Rwanda’s alleged support for M23 rebels in eastern Congo.
Speaking at a press conference in Kigali on Sunday, President Paul Kagame adopted a defiant stance, vowing to protect Rwanda’s sovereignty from foreign interference. He accused Belgium of neo-colonialism and recalled its colonial-era atrocities, stating that Rwanda would not tolerate external meddling.
Kigali has faced mounting international scrutiny over its involvement in the eastern DRC, where M23 rebels—widely seen as a Rwandan proxy force—control two mineral-rich provinces.
