Rwanda and Belgium severed diplomatic ties as the EU imposed sanctions on Rwandan military leaders due to the involvement of Rwandan-backed rebels in the DRC conflict. Tensions escalated over the exploitation of natural resources and diplomatic disagreements. The situation emphasizes the fragile geopolitical landscape in the region and raises questions of international accountability.
On March 17, 2025, Rwanda and Belgium severed diplomatic ties amidst rising tensions, as the European Union (EU) adopted sanctions targeting Rwandan military commanders and associated members of a rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These sanctions are a response to the rapid advance of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels into the resource-rich eastern DRC, capturing key cities like Goma and Bukavu, which has resulted in numerous civilian casualties with reports of around 7,000 deaths.
The sanctions were agreed upon during a foreign affairs ministerial meeting in Brussels and notably aim at high-ranking officials in the Rwanda Defense Force and the M23, along with a refinery accused of illegally trafficking natural resources. The announcement of these sanctions precedes upcoming peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels scheduled to commence in Angola.
Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry declared the severance of ties with Belgium, commanding its diplomats to vacate within 48 hours. The ministry accused Belgium of consistently aligning itself with the DRC against Rwanda using manipulative tactics to foster a negative opinion towards the country. In response, Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot announced that Belgium would brand Rwanda’s diplomats as persona non grata and terminate cooperation agreements with Rwanda.
While EU officials condemned the presence of Rwandan Defense Forces in the DRC as a violation of national sovereignty and criticized the illegal trafficking of resources, they have faced accusations of exacerbating the conflict. The EU previously halted a critical minerals trade deal with Rwanda, alleged to facilitate the smuggling of conflict minerals from DRC.
Furthermore, Rwanda had preemptively suspended bilateral cooperation with Belgium in February, citing Belgium’s attempts to undermine Rwanda’s access to developmental funding as a motivating factor. Minister Prévot remarked that Belgium was already reviewing cooperation options in light of Rwanda’s actions, aiming for assertive measures in response.
The diplomatic severance between Rwanda and Belgium highlights escalating tensions exacerbated by the involvement of Rwandan-backed rebel forces in the DRC. The EU’s sanctions reflect a significant international response to the crisis, with calls for further action among member states. This geopolitical situation illustrates the complexities of regional conflicts and the challenges of international diplomatic relations impacted by allegations of human rights violations and resource exploitation.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
