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Rwanda expels Belgium diplomats
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Rwanda has severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, its former colonial ruler, following European Union sanctions on senior Rwandan officials. The move comes amid accusations that Kigali is backing the M23 rebel group, which has been capturing territory in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kigali said it was giving Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the East African country, accusing Brussels of "using lies and manipulation to secure an unjustified hostile opinion of Rwanda."
The EU imposed sanctions on three senior Rwandan military commanders and the CEO of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board, citing their alleged involvement in exploiting the ongoing conflict in the DRC. A gold refinery in Kigali was also targeted by the 27-nation bloc.
Belgium played a key role in pushing for these sanctions, prompting Rwanda to retaliate by cutting diplomatic relations with Brussels. In response, Belgium expelled Kigali’s diplomatic envoys in a tit-for-tat measure, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Belgium's foreign affairs minister Maxime Prevot said the move was "disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda they prefer not to engage in dialogue."
Brussels will reciprocate by declaring Rwandan diplomats persona non grata, he added.
Historical Context
Rwanda and Belgium share a complex colonial history. From 1922 to 1962, Belgium administered Ruanda-Urundi, a twin territory in East Africa that later became the independent nations of Rwanda and Burundi. The territory was initially a League of Nations mandate and later a United Nations trust territory, governed as part of the Belgian Congo.
Belgian rule left a lasting impact on the region, and diplomatic relations between the two countries have often been strained. The latest fallout underscores the deep-rooted geopolitical and economic tensions surrounding the conflict in the DRC.
With diplomatic ties now severed, it remains to be seen how this will impact regional stability and Rwanda’s position within the broader international community.
Kigali said it was giving Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the East African country, accusing Brussels of "using lies and manipulation to secure an unjustified hostile opinion of Rwanda."
The EU imposed sanctions on three senior Rwandan military commanders and the CEO of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board, citing their alleged involvement in exploiting the ongoing conflict in the DRC. A gold refinery in Kigali was also targeted by the 27-nation bloc.
Belgium played a key role in pushing for these sanctions, prompting Rwanda to retaliate by cutting diplomatic relations with Brussels. In response, Belgium expelled Kigali’s diplomatic envoys in a tit-for-tat measure, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Belgium's foreign affairs minister Maxime Prevot said the move was "disproportionate and shows that when we disagree with Rwanda they prefer not to engage in dialogue."
Brussels will reciprocate by declaring Rwandan diplomats persona non grata, he added.
Historical Context
Rwanda and Belgium share a complex colonial history. From 1922 to 1962, Belgium administered Ruanda-Urundi, a twin territory in East Africa that later became the independent nations of Rwanda and Burundi. The territory was initially a League of Nations mandate and later a United Nations trust territory, governed as part of the Belgian Congo.
Belgian rule left a lasting impact on the region, and diplomatic relations between the two countries have often been strained. The latest fallout underscores the deep-rooted geopolitical and economic tensions surrounding the conflict in the DRC.
With diplomatic ties now severed, it remains to be seen how this will impact regional stability and Rwanda’s position within the broader international community.
Source - Reuters
