Rwanda has officially severed diplomatic relations with Belgium, a move triggered by what the Rwandan Foreign Ministry describes as "pitiable attempts" from Brussels to maintain neocolonial illusions.
The announcement, delivered through a statement on Tuesday, asserts that the Rwandan government notified the Belgian authorities that all diplomats must vacate the country within 48 hours.
The government said it would protect the properties and archives of the Belgian diplomatic mission in Kigali, indicating that the severance of ties would not lead to an immediate escalation of hostilities.
The ministry added that the decision to cut ties would "safeguard" its own national interests.
In addition, the ministry said breakdown in relations has been framed by Rwanda as a complex response to a series of factors involving historical grievances and current geopolitical tensions. "This decision was made after a profound analysis of multiple factors," the ministry’s statement read.
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According to Rwandan officials, Belgium, its former coloniser, has systematically undermined the country's sovereignty, asserting that the European nation has taken a clear position against Rwanda amid the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
"Belgium has clearly taken sides in a regional conflict and continues to systematically mobilize itself against Rwanda at different forums," the statement noted, accusing Belgium of spreading misinformation to foster a negative public perception of Kigali.
The current tensions are exacerbated by the actions of the M23 rebel group, which has launched an offensive in eastern DRC since early 2025. This group has seized considerable territory, including key administrative centres such as Goma and Bukavu. Allegations have emerged that Rwanda is providing military support to the M23; however, these claims have been firmly denied by Rwanda.
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