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By Sayyid Omar
Belgium and Rwanda have announced the expulsion of each other's diplomats as their relations continue to decline over accusations regarding their roles in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Rwanda declared that it was severing diplomatic ties with Belgium and gave Belgian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country. Kigali accused Brussels of leading calls for European countries to impose sanctions on Rwanda due to its alleged support for M23, a rebel group involved in the ongoing crisis in the DRC.
"Belgium has clearly participated in fueling regional conflict and has continuously engaged in a campaign against Rwanda, using falsehoods and misinformation to create a hostile and unfounded narrative against our country. This is part of a broader effort to destabilize Rwanda and the region as a whole." Rwanda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release.
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Meanwhile, Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prevot, responded to Rwanda’s move on his X (Twitter) account, saying, "Belgium regrets Rwanda’s decision to cut diplomatic relations with Belgium."
In February of this year, the United Nations Security Council called for M23 rebels to cease hostilities and for Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the DRC.
The diplomatic crisis between Rwanda and Belgium comes just a day before the Congolese government and M23 rebels were set to engage in peace negotiations. However, on Monday afternoon, the rebels announced they would no longer participate in the talks, accusing unnamed international organizations of undermining peace efforts.