Rwanda, a central African country formerly administered by Belgium, has broken off diplomatic ties with Belgium. Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist/Les Engagés) regrets the decision, but at the same time also declares Rwandan diplomats ‘persona non grata’.
Rwanda, the central African country formerly administered by Belgium under a mandate first from the League of Nations and later the United Nations, is breaking off diplomatic ties with Belgium. It accuses Belgium of ‘clearly taking sides’ in the regional conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a former Belgian colony in central Africa. The Rwandan government also accuses Belgium of systematically mobilising against Rwanda on the international stage, using ‘lies and manipulation to secure an unjustified hostile opinion of Rwanda’.
Belgian diplomats get 48 hours to leave the country, the scene of the 1994 genocide.
Posting on X in dodgy English, Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) ‘regrets Rwanda's decision’. He also immediately took similar countermeasures. Rwandan diplomats become ‘persona non grata’ too and will have to leave the country and all international cooperation agreements will be rescinded.
EU sanctions introduced
Rwanda has long accused Belgium of taking sides in the conflict in eastern Congo. There rebel group M23 that can count on Rwandan support has captured several key towns.
Last month already Rwanda decided to suspend development cooperation with Belgium.
The EU has also approved a package of sanctions linked to the conflict. 10 people are targeted, including members of the March 23rd rebel group and the Rwandan army.