On March 17, 2025, Addis Ababa announced that Rwanda has cut off diplomatic ties with Belgium and demanded that all Belgian diplomats depart from the nation within two days.
The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement accusing Belgium of interfering in their internal matters.
The declaration stated in part: "Belgium has continually worked against Rwanda’s interests both prior to and throughout the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This is particularly true considering Belgium's significant and contentious past involvement, notably opposing Rwanda."
Belgium has recently halted financial assistance and put trade relations with Kigali on hold due to the continuing unrest in the nearby Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a release that “today, the government of Rwanda informed the Belgian government of its choice to terminate diplomatic ties, taking effect right away.” The announcement added, “This decision by Rwanda was made following thorough deliberation over multiple elements, each interconnected with Belgium’s lamentable efforts to uphold its neo-colonial fantasies.”
Belgium responded to Kigali’s action by calling it “disproportionate” and stated that they would implement similar steps.
"Belgium expresses regret over Rwanda’s choice to sever diplomatic ties and declares Belgian diplomats unwelcome within their country," stated Maxime Prévôt, who serves as both the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation of Belgium, via social media.
"It is unjustified and indicates that whenever we differ with Rwanda, they opt out of engaging in dialogue," he stated.
Prevot stated that Belgium would implement comparable actions: summoning Rwanda’s chargé d'affaires ad interim, deeming Rwanda's diplomatic representatives as personae non gratae, and terminating bilateral government cooperation accords.
Belgium has taken a strong stance against Rwanda’s purported role in the ongoing strife in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, notably its claimed backing of the M23 rebel group, which Kigali refutes.
Following their resurgence in late 2021, the M23 have seized control of areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), encompassing key locations such as Goma.
On Monday, the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions on Rwandan military leaders.
During a press briefing in Kigali on Sunday, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame adopted a resolute stance, stating that his East African nation will protect its sovereignty from external meddling by other nations.
Kagame specifically called out Belgium, highlighting that it governed Rwanda as a colony up until 1962, and stated that it was responsible for various wrongdoings towards Rwandan people. He also declared his determination to combat what he sees as Belgian 'neocolonial intervention.'
Rwanda's capital city, Kigali, has been subjected to greater global attention due to its involvement in the strife in eastern Congo, where a rebel group backed by the country operates in two areas abundant with natural resources.
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