Rwanda and Belgium have cut diplomatic ties as the EU imposes sanctions on Rwandan military leaders due to their support of M23 rebels in the DRC. The rebels’ advances have led to significant humanitarian crises and the loss of thousands of lives. Belgium’s alignment with the DRC has provoked Rwanda’s retaliatory measures, further straining relations between the countries.
On March 17, 2025, Rwanda and Belgium severed diplomatic ties amid escalating tensions related to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This decision coincided with the European Union (EU) ministers’ agreement to impose sanctions against Rwandan military leaders and members of the M23 rebel group, which has been advancing in eastern DRC, a region rich in natural resources. The DRC government reported that the ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 7,000 individuals and has forced thousands to flee their homes.
The EU sanctions target key figures in the Rwanda Defense Force and the M23, alongside a refinery implicated in illicit trafficking of DRC’s natural resources. These developments occur just prior to scheduled peace talks in Angola between DRC officials and M23 rebels. An EU diplomat emphasized, “This is not a ‘Rwanda-bashing’ exercise… but a listing in reaction to those violating international [humanitarian] law.”
In response to Belgium’s stance against Rwanda and its support for DRC, Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry demanded the expulsion of Belgian diplomats within 48 hours. The Ministry accused Belgium of “systematically mobilizing against Rwanda” and referred to its actions as attempts to perpetuate neocolonial influences. Belgium’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Maxime Prévot, countered by declaring Rwandan diplomats persona non grata and stating that Rwanda’s actions reflect a preference for avoidance over dialogue.
While EU ministers have condemned the Rwandan military’s presence in DRC as a violation of sovereignty and criticized the illegal extraction of resources, the EU has faced scrutiny for allegedly exacerbating the conflict. Last year, the bloc established a critical minerals agreement with Rwanda, raising concerns that it might allow the smuggling of conflict minerals from DRC.
As the EU sanctions represent a preliminary action, further measures may be considered as the bloc reviews its critical raw materials agreement. Prévot previously suggested that Belgium was reevaluating its cooperation with Rwanda in light of the violation of DRC’s territorial integrity, stating, “Following Rwanda’s violation of the territorial integrity of the DRC, we were in the process of reviewing our cooperation…”
In conclusion, the severance of diplomatic ties between Rwanda and Belgium marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict involving M23 rebels in the DRC. With the EU ramping up sanctions against key Rwandan military figures in response to humanitarian law violations, the situation remains volatile. The actions taken by both countries reflect deepening divisions and the complexities of international relations amidst regional instability.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
