By James Nyaga

Rwanda has officially severed diplomatic relations with Belgium, ordering all Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours.

The announcement, made on March 17, 2025, marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations, driven by disagreements over the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a strongly worded statement, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Belgium of undermining its position on regional security and perpetuating “neo-colonial delusions.”

Kigali claimed that Belgium has consistently sided against Rwanda in international forums and imposed sanctions based on allegations that Rwanda supports the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC—accusations Rwanda denies.

“The government of Rwanda has decided to immediately cut all diplomatic ties with Belgium due to its continued interference in regional matters and its unfair treatment of Rwanda,” the statement read.

Belgium responded swiftly, declaring all Rwandan diplomats persona non grata and announcing the suspension of key development aid and cooperation agreements.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot criticized Kigali’s decision as “disproportionate” and lamented Rwanda’s preference for confrontation over dialogue.

“We have always believed in diplomatic solutions, but Rwanda’s choice to sever ties is unfortunate and unnecessary,” he stated.

This diplomatic fallout comes after months of mounting friction between the two countries. Belgium has been vocal in its criticism of Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the DRC conflict, accusing Kigali of destabilizing the region by backing M23 rebels who have seized key cities in eastern DRC.

In turn, Rwanda has accused Belgium of leveraging its colonial history to manipulate narratives and undermine Rwandan sovereignty.

Political analysts warn that this rift could have far-reaching implications for peace efforts in the Great Lakes region.

Belgium, as Rwanda’s former colonial power, has historically played a significant role in regional affairs.

Its withdrawal from diplomatic discussions could deepen divisions and complicate efforts to resolve the DRC crisis.

With embassies set to close and diplomatic channels shut down, the future of Rwanda-Belgium relations remains uncertain.

Observers suggest that economic and security cooperation between the two nations may also suffer, potentially impacting trade, foreign aid, and multilateral agreements.