- Title: Rwanda blames Belgium for EU sanctions
- Date: 18th March 2025
- Summary: BELGIAN AND EUROPEAN UNION FLAGS MOVING IN WIND RWANDAN GOVERNMENT DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON, ALAIN MUKURALINDA, SPEAKING MUKURALINDA MAKING HAND GESTURES (SOUNDBITE) (French) RWANDAN GOVERNMENT DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON, ALAIN MUKURALINDA, SAYING: "It was said even before, about a month ago, that this is the behaviour of Belgium, the Belgian government, which has been campaigning, lo
- 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: LVA001983818032025RP1
- 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.
(Production: Jabo Nkurunziza, Mukelwa Hlatshwayo) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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