On March 17, 2025, Rwanda and Belgium cut diplomatic ties due to tensions involving Rwandan-backed rebels in the DRC. The EU imposed sanctions on Rwandan military officials in response to the situation. The diplomatic rift is accompanied by accusations and retaliatory measures from both countries, highlighting the ongoing conflict in the region.
On March 17, 2025, Rwanda and Belgium officially severed diplomatic relations amid heightened tensions due to the activities of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This decision coincided with the European Union’s adoption of sanctions targeting Rwandan military commanders and individuals associated with the M23 group, who have captured significant territories in the resource-rich eastern DRC, leading to considerable fatalities and mass displacement.
The EU foreign affairs ministers convened in Brussels to determine a sanctions list that highlights leaders within the Rwanda Defense Force and the M23 group, alongside a refinery implicated in the illegal trafficking of natural resources from the region. These sanctions are set against the backdrop of impending peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels scheduled to take place in Angola.
Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the diplomatic severance, asserting that Belgium’s support for the DRC reflects an ongoing campaign of hostility influenced by misinformation. The ministry further criticized Belgium’s attempts to assert neocolonial dominance. In response, Belgium’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Maxime Prévot, announced that Rwanda’s diplomats would be declared persona non grata, labeling Rwanda’s actions as disproportionate and counterproductive to dialogue.
As EU officials condemned the presence of Rwandan forces in the DRC as a breach of territorial integrity, they also faced scrutiny for their prior engagement in critical minerals deals with Rwanda, which critics argue enabled the smuggling of conflict minerals from the DRC. While the current sanctions are deemed a “first step,” there are calls for further action from the EU.
This diplomatic fallout follows Rwanda’s earlier suspension of bilateral cooperation with Belgium, a move reportedly made in response to perceived threats to Rwanda’s developmental support. Belgium’s Prévot indicated that Belgium was reviewing its cooperation in response to Rwanda’s actions regarding the DRC.
The severing of diplomatic ties between Rwanda and Belgium marks a significant turning point in regional relations, reflecting deep-seated tensions over the actions of Rwandan-backed rebels in the DRC. The EU’s sanctions against Rwandan military leaders represent an initial effort to address the conflict, with calls for further action to ensure stability in the region. Both nations have taken reciprocal measures, illustrating the complexities of international diplomacy in this volatile context.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
