- Title: Rwanda cuts diplomatic ties with Belgium citing interference
- Date: 17th March 2025
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Kinyarwanda) REPUBLIC OF RWANDA PRESIDENT, PAUL KAGAME, SAYING: “Rwanda's concern is that we were colonised by a small country, similar in size to Rwanda itself and they wanted to divide us because of that. I mean Belgium. I want to give them a warning." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAVING FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Kinyarwanda) REPUBLIC OF RWANDA PRESIDENT, PAUL KAGAME, SAYING:
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: BELGIUM DIPLOMACY RWANDA
- Location: KIGALI, RWANDA
- City: KIGALI, RWANDA
- Country: Rwanda
- Topics: Africa,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001944717032025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Rwandan government announced its decision to sever diplomatic relations with Belgium on Monday
(March 17) and gave Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country. This action is seen as a direct response to Belgium’s criticism of Rwanda’s involvement in regional conflicts and its historical role as a colonial power in both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
President Paul Kagame, addressed cheering crowds on Sunday, during a meeting he held with citizens in the capital, Kigali he promised to host after winning the elections in 2024.
Belgium’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prevot responded swiftly to this announcement, labelling Kigali’s actions as “disproportionate.” He indicated that Belgium would reciprocate by declaring Rwandan diplomats persona non grata, effectively expelling them from Belgian territory. This tit-for-tat diplomatic manoeuvre highlights the deteriorating relationship between the two nations and raises concerns about further escalations.
The European Union also sanctioned nine people and a gold refinery in connection with a Rwanda-backed rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a day before peace talks scheduled in Angola between M23 rebels and the Congolese government.
The European Union has previously imposed sanctions targeting specific individuals within Rwanda, including commanders of the M23 rebel group and members of the Rwandan army believed to be involved in supporting these insurgents.
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