- Title: Rwanda blames Belgium for EU sanctions
- Date: 18th March 2025
- Summary: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in a call on Tuesday (March 18) that the war between Russia and Ukraine needs to end with a "lasting peace" and talks to achieve that goal will begin immediately, the White House said. (9836-UKRAINE-CRISIS/TRUMP-PUTIN-WHITE HOUSE) INTERNET (MARCH 18, 2025) (REUTERS) (MUTE) SCREENSHOT OF THE WHITE HOUSE
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: belgium conflict congo expulsion france m23 rwanda
- Location: KIGALI, RWANDA
- City: KIGALI, RWANDA
- Country: Rwanda
- Topics: Africa,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002983818032025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Rwanda blames Belgium for European sanctions imposed against the country, a government spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday (March 18), a day after Kigali formally cut diplomatic ties with Brussels.
"Belgium is responsible for the sanctions Europe imposed on Rwanda," said Alain Mukuralinda, Rwanda's deputy government spokesperson.
The European Union recently sanctioned nine individuals and a gold refinery in connection with a Rwanda-backed rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mukuralinda said Rwanda expected Belgium to remain neutral on the conflict in eastern Congo, which erupted in January.
Belgium retaliated by declaring Rwandan diplomats persona non grata, effectively expelling them from Belgian territory.
The United Nations and international powers accuse Rwanda of arming and supporting the ethnic Tutsi-led M23 rebel group, which has been fighting in eastern Congo for over two decades.
Rwanda denies these allegations, saying its forces are acting in self-defense against Congo's army and militias hostile to Kigali.
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