Rwanda on Monday severed diplomatic ties with Belgium and expelled all Belgian diplomats from the country.
A Rwandan foreign ministry statement said the European nation had “consistently undermined” Kigali “during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo”. Belgium called the measure “disproportionate” and expelled Rwandan diplomats in response.
In a statement released Monday, Rwanda‘s foreign ministry said, “The Government of Rwanda today notified the Government of Belgium of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, effective immediately.”
“Belgium has clearly taken sides in a regional conflict and continues to systematically mobilize against Rwanda in different forums, using lies and manipulation to secure an unjustified hostile opinion of Rwanda, in an attempt to destabilize both Rwanda and the region,” it said.
The latest diplomatic spat came as the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday said it will participate in peace talks in Angola set for Tuesday with M23 rebel group that has advanced in Congo’s mineral-rich east.
The M23 rebel group has also sent a delegation to Luanda, the group’s spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said on X Monday.
The conflict in eastern Congo escalated in January when the Rwanda-backed rebels advanced and seized terrain in the DR Congo‘s mineral-rich east.
