Rwanda has severed diplomatic ties with Belgium and ordered all Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours. The move follows accusations from Kigali that Belgium has consistently undermined Rwanda’s role in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, described Rwanda’s decision as “disproportionate” and regretted Kigali’s refusal to engage in dialogue. He confirmed that Rwandan diplomats were now unwelcome in Belgium.
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The diplomatic row comes after Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused Belgium of pushing for international sanctions against his country over the conflict in eastern DRC. Rwanda has denied involvement, despite a UN report alleging Kigali controls the M23 rebel group and has thousands of soldiers in the region.
Meanwhile, delegations from the DRC government and M23 rebels are expected to attend peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Angola.
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