Rwanda announced Monday March 17th the breakdown of its diplomatic relations with Belgium, accusing the former colonial power of having “taken sides” for Kinshasa “long before and during the in progress in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” (DRC).
“The Government of Rwanda has notified the government of Belgium today of its decision to break diplomatic relations, with immediate effect,” the Rwandan foreign ministry said in a statement. A decision linked according to Kigali to the “pitiful attempts” of Brussels to “maintain his neocolonial illusions”.
Belgium regretted a “disproportionate” decision, which, according to its chief of diplomacy Maxime Prévot “illustrates that when we disagree with Rwanda, it prefers not to dialogue”.
Belgium, a former colonial power of both the DRC (ex-Zaire) and Rwanda, was one of the most critical countries in Kigali since the rebellion of the M23, supported by Kigali, launched in December an offensive in the east of the DRC, which notably saw him seize Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, SUD-KIVU.
“Lies and manipulations”
Brussels had notably asked the European Union at the end of January to consider sanctions against Rwanda, accused of violating the sovereignty of the DRC. This Monday, the EU actually adopted sanctions against Rwandan military leaders and an official in the mining sector, who plan to ban these people from going to the EU as well as a freezing of their assets in the Union. Before that, Belgium had not supported the new aid of 20 million euros granted in November. She had abstained during a vote in the EU council.
Rwanda announced in February the suspension of Belgian development aid programs in the country. “Today, Belgium has clearly taken sides in a regional conflict and continues to systematically mobilize against Rwanda in different forums, using lies and manipulations to create an unjustified hostile opinion with regard to Rwanda, with the aim of destabilizing the country and the region,” accused Kigali.
“Today’s decision reflects Rwanda’s commitment to protect its national interests and the dignity of Rwandans, as well as to defend the principles of sovereignty, peace and mutual respect,” added the press release. All Belgian diplomats present in Rwanda are required to leave the country within 48 hours, said Kigali.