Rwanda has severed ties with Belgium, citing the latter’s support for the DRC and attempts at sanctions. The Rwandan government attributes ongoing issues with Belgium to a fraught colonial history that involved ethnic division and genocide, including Belgium’s role in Rwanda’s political systems and its actions during significant conflicts.
Recently, Rwanda severed its diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing the nation of supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo in an ongoing conflict and seeking to impose international sanctions against Kigali. According to the Rwandan government, the underlying issues with Belgium stem from a complicated historical context over several decades.
First, Rwanda claims that prior to colonization by Germany and later Belgium, it faced no internal massacres. The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) divided Africa among Western powers, and Rwanda’s borders were diminished, with territories annexed to the Belgian Congo and Uganda.
Secondly, Belgium was given trusteeship over Rwanda by the League of Nations in 1924 and by the United Nations in 1946. Belgium was tasked with promoting the well-being and governance of the Rwandan populace. However, it implemented a divisive political framework that contradicted its legal obligations.
In 1916, Belgium ousted Germany from Rwanda militarily and initiated profound reforms in the region. This included harsh labor laws, the establishment of ethnic categorizations among Rwandans, and significant violence against Rwandan leadership, culminating in the overthrow and death of King Musinga. The ignition of ethnic tensions gave rise to the racist political party PARMEHUTU, which led organized massacres targeting the Tutsi population starting in 1959.
Belgium subsequently granted Rwanda independence in July 1962, without fostering peace, leading to continued violence. This resulted in mass murders of Tutsi individuals, which were recognized by various international observers as genocide, particularly in the early 1960s.
In 1964, Belgium acknowledged the targeted killings of Tutsi and identified risks for Belgian soldiers who were present. The Rwandan army, previously established by Belgium, orchestrated massacres under Belgian military supervision. Cooperation grew despite growing authoritarianism from the Habyarimana regime.
As violence persisted, Belgium dispatched troops both for support of the regime and later in UN missions. However, during the critical period of the Rwandan genocide in April 1994, Belgium withdrew its troops and urged UNAMIR’s total exit, which directly contributed to the escalation of violence against civilians.
In subsequent years, Belgium recognized its failings regarding civilian safety, with Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt issuing an apology in 2000. Rwanda, hopeful for improved relations, engaged in cooperative initiatives while remaining cautious of Belgium’s historical ties to the prior Rwandan regime.
In 2014, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2150, urging member states to learn from the Genocide. Despite this, Belgium is purportedly financing denialist networks and persists in its antagonistic stance towards Rwanda, siding with the DRC government and overlooking threats posed by groups like the FDLR.
In summary, Rwanda’s current dispute with Belgium is rooted in a long history of colonial exploitation and subsequent violent conflicts, exacerbated by Belgium’s actions and policies throughout the decades. Allegations against Belgium include facilitating ethnic divisions and failing to prevent genocide, which have fostered longstanding distrust. Rwanda’s recent severance of diplomatic relations underlines the critical need for accountability and a reevaluation of historical narratives surrounding their relationship.
Original Source: www.ktpress.rw
