Rwanda Cuts Ties with Belgium Amid Tensions Over DRC Conflict

Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Belgium have reached a breaking point as Kigali announced it is severing ties with Brussels, ordering all Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours.

The move, announced by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, comes amid escalating tensions over the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

“The Government of Rwanda today notified the Government of Belgium of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, effective immediately,” the ministry stated, accusing Belgium of “consistently” undermining Kigali during the ongoing conflict in the DRC.

In a swift response, Belgium retaliated by declaring Rwandan diplomats persona non grata and dismissing Kigali’s decision as excessive.

“Belgium regrets the decision of Rwanda to cut off diplomatic relations with Belgium and to declare Belgium’s diplomats persona non grata,” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “This is disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda, they prefer not to engage in dialogue.”

The diplomatic fallout follows accusations from Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who claimed Belgium was advocating for international sanctions against Rwanda over its alleged involvement in the eastern DRC conflict.

The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has been advancing in the mineral-rich region, capturing major cities in recent months. A UN report alleges that Rwanda controls M23 and has deployed around 4,000 soldiers inside the DRC—an accusation Kigali has repeatedly denied, insisting it is instead countering threats from ethnic Hutu militias in the region.

The conflict has already claimed over 7,000 lives, according to the Congolese government, which has called for urgent international intervention. Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions flare as the DRC and M23 rebels prepare for peace talks in Angola on Tuesday.